Putin Shifts Russian Ground Forces Command Appoints Salyukov Security Council Deputy

Russian President Vladimir Putin has replaced Army General Oleg Salyukov as the Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Ground Forces, appointing him as Deputy Secretary of the Security Council of Russia. Salyukov, who led the ground forces since 2014 and commanded major Victory Day military parades, including the 80th anniversary parade in 2025, is transitioning due to the age limit for active military service. His new role in the Security Council, led by Sergey Shoigu, places him within one of Russia's key strategic bodies amid ongoing military operations. Colonel General Andrei Mordvichev, noted for commanding significant offensives in Ukraine such as the siege of Mariupol, has been appointed as the new commander of the Russian ground forces. Mordvichev is among the youngest senior officers and was awarded the Hero of the Russian Federation title in 2024. This military leadership change coincides with ongoing Russian-Ukrainian talks held in Istanbul, though neither Putin nor Ukrainian President Zelensky are attending.