General Valery Gerasimov appointed commander of Russian forces in Ukraine

Russia again replaced the commander of its forces in Ukraine on Wednesday, and this time appointed General Valery Gerasimov as chief of staff of the armed forces, according to the Russian Defense Ministry.

The ministry confirmed in a statement that Valery Gerasimov had been appointed "commander of the Joint Forces Group" deployed in Ukraine, replacing Sergei Surovikin, who took over in November.

The ministry indicated that the switch took place due to the "increased tasks" to be accomplished and the "need" for "closer interaction" between the components of the army.

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