Russian dictator Vladimir Putin has dismissed General Oleg Salyukov from his long-held role as Commander in Chief of the Russian Ground Forces. General Salyukov, who had overseen ground operations since 2014 and played a central role in the full invasion of Ukraine in 2022, has now been reassigned as Deputy to the Russian Security Council Secretary, Sergei Shoigu.
Salyukov, who will turn 70 on 21 May, was due for retirement under Russian law, which mandates the end of military service at that age. However, his sudden dismissal has raised questions about broader instability and possible dissatisfaction within the Russian military elite, especially following ongoing battlefield failures in Ukraine.
The newly appointed Commander in Chief is General Colonel Andrey Mordvichyov, previously in charge of Russia’s Central Military District and known for leading Russian forces during the brutal siege of Mariupol in the spring of 2022. Mordvichyov’s promotion places a figure directly tied to heavy war crimes allegations in a leading military role.
General Salyukov kept a low profile throughout his tenure, only appearing in public at military parades such as Victory Day in Moscow. He had also been serving as Deputy Commander of Russian forces involved in the full scale invasion of Ukraine since January 2023.
Western countries have imposed sanctions on Salyukov for his role in Russia’s aggression. His family has also come under scrutiny. BBC News Russian reported in 2023 that his daughter-in-law, Dina Salyukova, owns HQ Agency, a company profiting from state-sponsored military and patriotic events. The firm’s main clients include the Russian Defence Ministry and the Moscow Mayor’s Office.
Salyukov has been a central figure in several corruption investigations and is closely tied to the militarised propaganda machine in Russia.
