New commander-in-chief in Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine is ‘ruthless’, appointment shows how Russian president wants ‘long war’, ex-NATO chief says Newsweek.
In one of the most dramatic changes at the top since the start of the war, Russia’s Chief of General Staff Valery Gerasimov took over from Sergey Slovikin, who had only overseen what Moscow called a “special military operation.” I am tasked with leading the campaign. From October.
It was the fourth time Putin had changed command of the war while Gerasimov helped plan an invasion, and he is said to have visited command posts inside Ukraine in a relatively unknown public appearance. Only one report was made.
Former Supreme Commander of the European Union (2011-2014) Sir Richard Shirreff, who met Gerasimov several times, describes him as “a kind of Russian general outside the centralized powers of the Soviet Union”.
Sergei Fadeichev/Getty Images
“He would be ruthless, brutal, and use a hammer to crush nuts,” he said. Newsweek.
“Despite having written the so-called ‘Gerasimov Doctrine,’ which was probably written for him and signed by him, he will never be smart,” he said.
The Russian general’s eponymous foreign policy doctrine provides for managing the information space, coordinating all aspects of operations, striking deep into enemy territory, and targeting critical civilian and military infrastructure.
Shirreff also pointed to this week’s announcement that Russia would expand its troop size to 1.5 million men as evidence of its readiness for a long war, saying: “This is what President Putin is doing for a long war. I think it shows,” he said.
“Long War”
Shirev said the announcement about the number of troops “shows that Putin realizes this is a long game. He has no intention of backing down and his strategy is to defeat Ukraine. ‘ said.
Even if Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu’s announcement “doesn’t affect the fight this year,” it could affect “next year or the year after.”
“Trying to increase the Russian army by 12 divisions is one thing, but actually generating, training, equipping, logistical and combat-ready those units is one thing.”
But he said he was concerned about messages from some defense sources that Russia’s massive troop losses and withdrawals meant Putin’s war effort had failed.
“Russia has inexhaustible human resources,” Shirreff said, as well as a vast amount of military equipment.
“I think we need to be careful not to underestimate Russia because of its ability to endure pain and its pride in doing so,” he added.
