Russian propaganda outlets confirm the dismissal of Sergei Surovikin from the post of Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Aerospace Forces. His duties will be temporarily performed by Viktor Afzalov, the first deputy and chief of staff of the VKS, who is responsible for strikes in Ukraine.
Russian propaganda initially claimed that Surovikin was fired because he was “transferring to another job,” but now it is reported that he is on a “short-term leave.”
Lieutenant General Afzalov, according to open sources, took an active part in planning and organizing the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. He was responsible for planning air missile strikes against civilian and energy targets in Ukraine and commanded the 11th Air Force and Air Defense Army.
Surovikin has been the commander of the Russian VKS since October 31, 2017. He also led Russia’s war against Ukraine from October 8, 2022, but was dismissed from his post by Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu on January 11, 2023. He was replaced by Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov, and Surovikin became his deputy.
