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Putin Appoints General Who Led Mariupol Assault as New Russian Ground Forces Commander
- On May 15, 2025, President Vladimir Putin named Colonel-General Andrey Mordvichev to lead Russia's land forces, succeeding General Oleg Salyukov in the position.
- The change followed Salyukov's long tenure since 2014 and came amid ongoing peace talks in Turkey and intensified military operations in Ukraine.
- Mordvichev, aged 49, is known for leading Russia's 8th Combined Arms Army and overseeing major offensives including the siege of Mariupol and capture of Avdiivka.
- He received Russia's Hero of the Federation award in 2024 for the capture of Avdiivka and is described as a fierce leader with a reputation for high troop casualties.
- The appointment signals Russia's intent to continue ground offensives in Ukraine and serves as a warning amid stalled peace efforts and Western concerns over military escalation.
28 Articles
28 Articles
“Breakthrough General” Andrei Mordvichev has said that Ukraine is only an “intermediate objective” in the Russian war in Eastern Europe. The colonel general is also behind several of Putin’s bloodiest attacks. Now he has been appointed as the new commander – which could indicate that a new major offensive is around the corner.
Russian Ground Forces get new commander
Russia has replaced its aging Ground Forces commander with a younger officer who has extensive combat experience in Ukraine. This decision could help the Russian army as it develops and implements post-war reforms. However, the most consequential personnel decisions have yet to come.
How serious is Vladimir Putin about peace negotiations in the Ukraine war? According to U.S. estimates, the Kremlin boss is currently focusing on another offensive.
Mordvichev succeeds 69-year-old General Oleg Saliukov, who was appointed Deputy Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation.
Russian President Vladimir Putin named Colonel Andrei Mordvicev, who took his seat on Maripulol in 2022, as commander of the Russian territorial forces, announced the state-controlled Russian press on 15 May.
Despite the peace negotiations, Russia seems to be preparing for a new offensive. A new personality also points in this direction.
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