Leadership Shake-Up and New Military Developments Amidst Ongoing Conflict

On January 11, 2023, Russian President Vladimir Putin appointed Valery Gerasimov as the new commander of the combined forces group for Russia’s military operations in Ukraine, replacing General Sergei Surovikin, who had only been in charge for three months. Gerasimov, Russia’s chief of the general staff, now takes over the leadership of Moscow’s “special military operation.” The Russian Ministry of Defence announced that this shake-up aimed to improve the management and effectiveness of military operations in Ukraine.

Surovikin, a veteran of controversial military campaigns in Syria and known for his brutal tactics, will remain in the military command structure as Gerasimov’s deputy. The leadership change comes amid Russia’s ongoing efforts to consolidate its forces in Ukraine and after a series of setbacks in the conflict.

Meanwhile, on the battlefield, fighting continues in Soledar, an eastern Ukrainian mining town that has become a key flashpoint. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy mocked Russia’s claims of victory in the town, stating that the situation remains fluid, and heavy fighting continues. The Wagner Group, a Russian private military company, claimed to have fully captured Soledar, but Ukraine’s military denied this assertion, further complicating the narrative.

In terms of international support, Ukraine is continuing its push for NATO membership, with Zelenskiy urging the alliance to take “powerful steps” to support Ukraine beyond just offering promises of future membership. As the war rages on, Western allies are ramping up their military aid. The UK government, as reported by the Financial Times, is planning to send tanks to Ukraine, with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak calling for the UK to provide further assistance. Poland also announced plans to send Leopard tanks to Ukraine as part of an international coalition.

The European Union reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Ukraine for “as long as it takes” and is preparing additional sanctions against Russia. Meanwhile, NATO and the EU are creating a taskforce to protect critical infrastructure, particularly in light of last year’s attack on the Nord Stream gas pipelines and Russia’s weaponization of energy resources.

In the annexed regions of Ukraine, which Moscow claims as part of Russia, Putin acknowledged the “difficult” situation but insisted that Russia has all the resources it needs to improve life in these areas. Ukraine remains on high alert, particularly at its border with Belarus, fearing a new front could open up as Russia and Belarus continue to make joint military statements.

In a significant move, Zelenskiy stripped four pro-Russian political figures of their Ukrainian citizenship, including Viktor Medvedchuk, a politician with close ties to the Kremlin who had been swapped for Ukrainian prisoners in 2022. This decision is part of Ukraine’s broader strategy to assert control and take action against collaborators.