WhatsApp banner image

Ukraine’s most important developments, straight to your WhatsApp.

FOLLOW
News Feed

ISW: Putin may still be looking to redirect blame for recent Russian military failures in Kharkiv Oblast

• 1 min read

The Institute for the Study of War said in its latest update that Russian news outlet RBK reported on Oct. 3 that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin had replaced Colonel-General Alexander Zhuravlev with Lieutenant-General Roman Berdnikov as commander of the Western Military District, whose units had mainly been operating in northeastern Kharkiv Oblast.

The ISW said, however, that "Zhuravlev has not been seen for some time, and that Putin has cycled through two commanders of Western Military District units in two weeks."

As the ISW previously reported, "Western Military District units have been operating in northeastern Kharkiv Oblast, but without a clear commander."

Assigning a new face to the Western Military District may be an attempt on Putin's part to redirect the increasing anger for Russian losses in Kharkiv Oblast, as well as an attempt to deflect criticism of Colonel General Alexander Lapin, commander of the Central Military District, over recent Russian failures around Lyman.

In the ISW's view, Putin could look to shift the blame for any future Russian losses in Kharkiv and Luhansk oblasts to Berdnikov.

Avatar
The Kyiv Independent news desk

We are the news team of the Kyiv Independent. We are here to make sure our readers get quick, essential updates about the events in Ukraine. Feel free to contact us via email with feedback and news alerts.

Read more
News Feed
 (Updated:  )

Russia continued its relentless drone attacks on Kyiv on Sept. 25, striking a 16-story residential building in the central Pecherskyi district overnight, killing a 14-year-old boy and injuring seven people.

 (Updated:  )

Ahead of the U.S.-China summit, President Volodymyr Zelensky told reporters on Sept. 22 that he hoped Trump would encourage Xi to use his influence with Russian President Vladimir Putin to move the peace process forward.

Show More