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Russia Has Changed the Commander of the Western Military District for the Fifth Time

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The Hateful Deck / Picture credits: InformNapalm
The Hateful Deck / Picture credits: InformNapalm

In five months, the Kremlin changed the commander of the Western Military District five times

The Ministry of Defense of the russian federation continues to demonstrate a chaotic approach in personnel decisions, changing the commander of the Western Military District precisely during the active counteroffensive of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

In particular, on September 28, during the active fighting around Lyman, russia’s Ministry of Defense replaced the commander of the Western Military District, who was in charge of this direction.

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According to russian registers of legal entities, Roman Berdnikov was appointed commander of the Western Military District, he replaced Alexandr Zhuravliov in this position, as InformNapalm emphasized.

At the same time, the website of russia’s Ministry of Defense continues to list Zhuravliov as the commander of the Western Military District, who in fact has already been dismissed and returned. Such personnel policy can hardly be called consistent, as the chronology of the commanders of the Western Military District looks as follows:

Alexandr Zhuravliov commanded the Western Military District since 2018, but on May 25, 2022 he was dismissed from his post due to huge losses during the storming of Izium in the fall and the failure of all terms of the operation.

Russia Has Changed the Commander of the Western Military District for the Fifth Time, Defense Express, war in Ukraine, Russian-Ukrainian war
Alexandr Zhuravliov

Defense Express reminds that at that time invaders tried to break through to the south from Izium, aiming to encircle the entire grouping of the Armed Forces of Ukraine with a plan to bypass Sloviansk and Kramatorsk to the west, at a time when the fighting was still on the approaches to Severodonetsk. According to unconfirmed information, Gennadiy Zhidko was appointed commander in this direction.

Russia Has Changed the Commander of the Western Military District for the Fifth Time, Defense Express, war in Ukraine, Russian-Ukrainian war
Gennadiy Zhidko

But he didn't last long either, because in early August he was replaced by Andrey Sychevoi. Most likely, for not moving anywhere.

Russia Has Changed the Commander of the Western Military District for the Fifth Time, Defense Express, war in Ukraine, Russian-Ukrainian war
Andrei Sychevoi

Sychevoi commanded the district for only a few weeks and was replaced by Roman Berdnikov, who took the post on August 26, just before the start of the Kupyansk offensive of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The reasons for this rotation are unknown.

Russia Has Changed the Commander of the Western Military District for the Fifth Time, Defense Express, war in Ukraine, Russian-Ukrainian war
Roman Berdnikov

On September 11, i.e. 15 days after the liberation of Izium, Berdnikov was replaced by Alexandr Zhuravliov, who had been “moved” at the end of May, but returned to command after. It is believed that Berdnikov was a "scapegoat" for the defeat and chaotic escape of russia’s troops.

Russia Has Changed the Commander of the Western Military District for the Fifth Time, Defense Express, war in Ukraine, Russian-Ukrainian war
Alexandr Zhuravliov

But another 17 days pass and the position returns to Berdnikov, and this happens right during the battles for Lyman. One of the probable reasons for such a decision is that Zhuravliov offered to retreat from Lyman, but was fired for "panic mood".

Russia Has Changed the Commander of the Western Military District for the Fifth Time, Defense Express, war in Ukraine, Russian-Ukrainian war
Roman Berdnikov

But the logic of changing Berdnikov to Zhuravloiv, and then again to Berdnikov within one month, especially during the active phase of hostilities, is incomprehensible, considering the fact that he is likely to be replaced again, but this time for Lyman defeat.

Funny, but it seems that the morning in the Western Military District of the russian federation begins with the question "Who is in command today?". It also speaks of some extremely strange under-the-road games in the Ministry of Defense of the russian federation, mistrust in commanders and lack of personnel.

Read more: ​Armed Forces of Ukraine Continue Eliminate russia’s Forces in Country’s South