After more than six weeks of conflict, Vladimir Putin shifted strategy and replaced several senior military leaders. He appointed a new commander to lead Russian troops: Alexander Dvornikov, a 60-year-old officer who joined the Russian army in 1978. The United States raised warnings about his past actions and the treatment of civilians under his command.
Following the appointment, United States National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan noted that the new Russian general has a history of actions against civilians. He suggested that the same approach could appear in current or future operations, drawing parallels to Syria and the Ukraine theater.
Sullivan emphasized that since the start of the Ukraine conflict, Russia has faced accusations of war crimes, and that Dvornikov’s arrival signals a potential intensification of those patterns. Various NGOs have also accused the Russian military of massacres in Syria under his leadership.
military career
Dvornikov attended Suvorov Military School and the Frunze Military Academy. He served as a battalion commander in the 6th Guards Motor Rifle Brigade and held positions in other units such as the 10th Guards Tank Division.
His career progressed in the North Caucasus Military District, and in 2008 he became head of the Fifth Army. He also served as deputy commander of the Eastern Military District and chief of staff of the Central Military District.
Between 2015 and 2016, he led the Armed Forces Group in Syria, playing a key role in operations against jihadist groups. The Russian government later awarded him the title Hero of the Russian Federation.
Since then, he has held command in the Southern Military District until Putin recently tasked him with leading Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine.
What will happen now?
The invasion that began on February 24 is shifting toward a focus on the eastern Donbas region, which Russia recognized as independent shortly before the war started. Observers expect a renewed, large-scale campaign in this area as Ukrainian and Russian forces face off. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell warned of a concentration of Russian troops in eastern Ukraine and cautioned that Moscow could press a major offensive against Donbas.
Reports quoted Borrell saying, “Russian troops are gathering to launch an offensive in the east, Donbas. I fear that fighting will escalate in Donbas in the coming days.”
Waiting for a broader clash
Ukraine’s presidential adviser and chief peace negotiator Mijailo Podoliak stated that Kyiv and Moscow would likely only meet after a decisive phase in Donbas concludes. He described Ukraine as ready for a broader confrontation and stressed that victory in Donbas would strengthen Kyiv’s bargaining position. Podoliak suggested that a meeting between presidents could occur in two to three weeks, depending on developments on the ground.