The Defense Ministry of the Russian Federation has officially announced Viktor Afzalov as the new Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS). This confirmation comes through official ministry channels and reflects a formal appointment process completed in October 2023 by presidential decree.
Reports indicate that Afzalov assumed the post of Commander-in-Chief of the Aerospace Forces following the decree issued by the President of Russia. Prior to this, he had been serving in the role in a transition capacity, with the title recently updated from acting to a full appointment after a sustained period of leadership in the branch. The position had previously been held by Army General Sergei Surovikin.
Viktor Afzalov was born on June 9, 1968. His education began at the Pushkin Higher Military Air Defense Radioelectronics School in Saint Petersburg, where he completed studies in 1989. He continued his professional training at the Military Air Defense Academy in Smolensk and later attended the General Staff Academy of the Russian Armed Forces in Moscow, graduating in 2010. These institutions shaped a career path focused on air defense, command leadership, and strategic planning within the Russian military structure.
The career trajectory of Afzalov reflects a steady progression through increasingly responsible command and staff roles within the Aerospace Forces and related defense formations. His assignments have encompassed operational command, staff planning, and integration of air defense capabilities with broader military objectives. Throughout his tenure, the emphasis remained on maintaining command readiness, modernizing defense systems, and ensuring the continued operational effectiveness of the VKS in a changing security environment.
Observers note that the appointment aligns with ongoing organizational efforts to reinforce leadership in key air defense and aerospace domains. The Aerospace Forces, one of the most significant strategic components of the Russian military, rely on experienced leadership to coordinate air operations, space- and cyber-related assets, and the integration of advanced avionics and control systems. Afzalov’s background in air defense and his advanced studies at the nation’s premier war academies are viewed as relevant to guiding the branch through evolving operational requirements and modernization programs.
As the commander, Afzalov is expected to oversee training, doctrine development, and readiness activities across the VKS, ensuring that personnel and equipment meet the demands of modern aerial warfare, airspace monitoring, and rapid response capabilities. Analysts highlight the importance of sustained emphasis on interoperability between air, space, and electronic warfare elements, a trend that has characterized recent strategic thinking within the Russian armed forces. The leadership changes come at a time of continued attention to aerospace defense and the continuous integration of new technologies into existing formations.
In reflecting on Afzalov’s professional journey, the milestones from his early education to his latest appointment underscore a long commitment to shaping Russia’s air defense posture. His career path illustrates a consistent focus on operational effectiveness, leadership development, and the stewardship of high-tech defense assets. The new Commander-in-Chief’s experience is viewed by experts as a signal of ongoing priority given to the Aerospace Forces within Russia’s broader military strategy, including modernization efforts and capability expansion across air and space domains.
Putin’s administration has, in recent years, sought to align leadership across strategic branches with a view toward maintaining robust defense capabilities. The appointment of Afzalov fits into this broader pattern, emphasizing continuity in command and a deep understanding of air defense systems and their evolution. The Aerospace Forces remain a central element in Russia’s approach to regional security, power projection, and the protection of critical airspace corridors. The leadership transition is thus a focal point for assessments of how the VKS will adapt to emerging challenges and opportunities in the years ahead.
Overall, the move to confirm Afzalov as Commander-in-Chief marks a formal culmination of his ongoing leadership role within the Aerospace Forces and highlights a continued emphasis on experienced command at the highest level. The specifics of his mandate include ongoing modernization, personnel development, and the strategic integration of aerospace capabilities to sustain readiness and deterrence in a dynamic security landscape. As events unfold, observers will watch to see how Afzalov translates his extensive background into actionable policy and practice within the Russian military framework.