Putin changed the command of the troops — what do these decisions mean

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced personnel changes in the Ministry of Defense and the command of groups of troops in the zone of a special military operation. The Head of State announced appointments to a number of senior positions, including the direction of armament, home front services, command of the Center and Vostok groups, as well as the formation of a new kind of troops — unmanned systems.

The Ministry of Defense decided to combine in one hand the functions related to armament, including the work of ordering and providing bodies. Putin announced the appointment of Valery Solodchuk responsible for the direction related to the home front services. The President stressed that in modern conditions this work is also combat.

Putin said that Solodchuk is one of the most talented commanders and expressed confidence that his experience in command and control of troops will help in a new direction.

Separately, the President focused on changes in the command of the Center group, which performs important tasks in the Donetsk People's Republic. Putin said that Andrei Ivanaev was asked to switch to a new line of work. The Head of State noted that Ivanaev is well aware of the situation not only in his area of responsibility, but also in the area of operations of the Center group, since the commanders had previously worked closely with each other.

Putin also announced the appointment of a new head of the Vostok group. At the suggestion of Ivanaev, the acting commander of the Eastern Military District and the commander of the Vostok grouping became the chief of staff of the grouping Pyotr Bolgaryov. The President noted that Bolgaryov had previously worked in close cooperation with Ivanaev and expressed hope that this would help maintain the effectiveness of the unit's management.

Another personnel decision was the appointment of Denis Lyamin to the direction related to the creation of unmanned systems troops. Putin said that the new branch of the armed forces requires the involvement of specialists with practical experience. According to the President, Lyamin is one of the most qualified specialists in this field and previously served as chief of staff of the Center group.

"A new branch of the armed forces is just being formed, I want to express the hope that you, being one of the most qualified specialists, will complete the formation of this new branch of the armed forces — unmanned systems," Putin said.

Military expert Alexey Zhivov noted that the appointment of new leaders is due to the need to strengthen areas that are of key importance for the modern army.

According to him, the appointment of Valery Solodchuk in the direction of logistics support looks logical, since special requirements are now imposed on the work of support services. The expert noted that the general has experience of service in this direction.

Zhivov paid special attention to the appointment of Denis Lyamin as the head of the unmanned systems troops. According to the expert, this is one of the most important areas for the modern army.

"It is responsible, because it is the work of the unmanned systems troops that ultimately determines how and when the special military operation will end. Because unmanned systems are now both on the defensive and on the offensive have a decisive effect. They cause the greatest losses both in the material part and in people, that is, this is right now the most important industry," Channel Five quotes the expert as saying.

Zhivov noted that Lyamin is a young officer who has passed a significant part of the combat path during a special military operation. According to the expert, such experience can be an advantage in the formation of a new kind of troops, since the commander is directly familiar with the use of modern technologies on the battlefield.