Putin dismisses ground forces commander

AUTHOR:M.J. GDNUS

Russian President Vladimir Putin has dismissed long-time commander of the ground forces, General Oleg Salyukov, and appointed him to a new position - deputy secretary of the Russian Security Council, Russian state media reported.

The decree, published in the official register of presidential decisions, states that Salyukov has been relieved of his duties as commander of the ground forces, a position he had held since 2014.

In addition to his regular command of the ground forces, General Salyukov also served as deputy commander of the Russian joint forces in Ukraine last year, which increased his role in the invasion operations.

Salyukov is also known to the public as a long-time commander of the military parade in Moscow, and he last appeared in that role on May 9, when he led the celebration of the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, which Russians celebrate as Victory Day.

The Russian media have not yet announced who will take over as commander of the ground forces, and the Kremlin has not commented on the reasons for the change. The appointment to the Security Council is interpreted as a transfer to the circle of Putin's closest people, and often as a way of removing high-ranking officers from operational positions.