Russia has appointed Colonel General Andrei Mordvichev, notorious for his brutal “meat grinder” infantry tactics, as the new commander of its ground forces amid ongoing operations in Ukraine.
At a Glance
- President Putin has replaced General Oleg Salyukov with Colonel General Andrei Mordvichev as Russia’s ground forces commander
- Mordvichev is known for directing brutal, attritional infantry-led assaults in Ukraine, particularly at Mariupol (2022) and Avdiivka (2024)
- The General has controversially claimed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is “only the beginning” of a conflict that “will not stop here”
- Mordvichev’s appointment suggests Russia plans to institutionalize his attrition-focused combat tactics
- The General is currently under multiple European sanctions for his role in the Ukraine conflict
Putin’s Controversial New Military Appointment
Russian President Vladimir Putin has appointed Colonel General Andrei Mordvichev as the new commander-in-chief of Russia’s ground forces, replacing General Oleg Salyukov. The leadership change comes as Russia continues its military operations in Ukraine, entering its third year. Mordvichev, who previously served as Deputy Commander of Russia’s Central Military District, has gained notoriety for his preference for what military analysts describe as “grinding, highly attritional, infantry-led assaults” – a brutal approach that has earned him both battlefield successes and international condemnation.
The Institute for the Study of War has suggested that Mordvichev’s appointment indicates the Kremlin’s intention to institutionalize these tactics across Russia’s ground forces. This strategic shift comes as General Salyukov, the outgoing Commander, approaches the military service age limit and transitions to a senior post on the Russian Security Council. The timing of this leadership change is notable, coinciding with peace talks in Istanbul, which Putin did not attend, drawing criticism from some of Ukraine’s European allies.
Mordvichev’s Controversial Military Record
Mordvichev has been a significant figure in some of the Ukraine war’s most brutal campaigns. He oversaw the capture of Mariupol in 2022, a siege that reduced much of the city to rubble and resulted in thousands of civilian casualties. More recently, he directed operations that led to the capture of Avdiivka in February 2024, another strategically important victory for Russian forces. These operations have showcased Mordvichev’s willingness to accept high casualty rates among his own forces to achieve tactical objectives.
The General has made alarming statements about Russia’s intentions, reportedly declaring that the invasion of Ukraine is “only the beginning” and that the war “will not stop here.” Such rhetoric has raised concerns about Russia’s broader regional ambitions and Mordvichev’s role in future military planning. Despite his battlefield successes, Mordvichev remains a controversial figure, currently subject to multiple European sanctions for his involvement in what the international community has condemned as war crimes in Ukraine.
Political Implications and International Reactions
Mordvichev’s career has been marked by unusual political connections within Russia’s complex power structure. Unlike many of his military peers, he has maintained a close relationship with Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, whose forces have operated alongside regular Russian troops in Ukraine. This alliance became public after Ukrainian forces claimed to have killed Mordvichev in March 2022, only for him to appear days later in a widely publicized meeting with Kadyrov, demonstrating both his survival and his political connections.
The appointment represents another shuffle in Russia’s military leadership throughout the Ukraine conflict. Several top Generals have been replaced since the February 2022 invasion, reflecting both battlefield setbacks and internal power struggles. Western intelligence analysts view these frequent leadership changes as signs of strategic adaptation rather than disarray, with Putin selecting commanders who align with his evolving vision for the conflict. Mordvichev’s elevation suggests a continued commitment to the grinding, attrition-based approach that has characterized recent Russian advances.
