Colonel-General Viktor Afzalov Appointed as New Head of Russian Aerospace Forces, Replacing Rebellion-Linked General Sergei Surovikin

Afzalov, previously acting head since Surovikin's dismissal following a failed rebellion, officially takes over amidst political turbulence and suspicions around recent deaths of rebellion leaders.

• Colonel-General Viktor Afzalov has been officially appointed as the head of Russia's Aerospace Forces, replacing General Sergei Surovikin who was dismissed in suspicion of allegiance with a failed rebellion.
• Afzalov had been working as the acting head of the aerospace forces since Surovikin's dismissal in mid-August.
• Surovikin was believed to have deep connections with the head of Wagner mercenary group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, who led a rebellion seeking the removal of defense minister, Sergei Shoigu and military chief of staff, Valery Gerasimov.
• The failed rebellion was followed by the disappearance of Surovikin from the public eye, and the suspicious death of Prigozhin and some of his top officials in a private plane crash.
• Before his demotion in January, Surovikin commanded Russia's forces in Ukraine from October 2022, and was known as 'General Armageddon' due to his aggressive bombing tactics during Russia's intervention in Syria's civil war.

3 Articles

Washington Post Reuters Associated Press