In a significant military leadership shake-up, Russian President Vladimir Putin has dismissed Army General Oleg Salyukov from his position as commander of Russia’s ground forces. The unexpected removal comes mere days after Salyukov presided over Moscow’s Victory Day parade on May 9, 2025, ending his decade-long tenure that began in 2014.
The Kremlin has not provided specific reasoning for the high-ranking commander’s dismissal, which occurs amid ongoing Russian military operations in Ukraine. The timing is particularly notable as Russian forces continue to make incremental advances in the Donetsk region, though at a measured pace.
Recent military developments in the region include Russian forces’ capture of Kotlyarivka, positioned southwest of Pokrovsk, according to Russia’s Ministry of Defense. This strategic gain has brought Russian military presence within 3.7 kilometers of the Donetsk-Dnipropetrovsk regional border. Additional territorial acquisitions include the complete seizure of Myrolyubivka, located east of Pokrovsk, and the subsequent capture of Mykhailovka.
The decision to remove Salyukov may reflect growing impatience from Moscow for more substantial battlefield progress, particularly as U.S.-mediated peace negotiations gain momentum. This speculation is supported by the scale of Russia’s current military deployment, with reports indicating 640,000 troops engaged in the Ukrainian conflict.
This latest command change follows a pattern of defense ministry reorganizations dating back to 2023, including the notable
reassignment of Sergei Shoigu from his position as Defense Minister to a role in the security council. Military analysts suggest these recurring leadership changes reflect Putin’s management approach, which traditionally emphasizes loyalty over tactical expertise.
The frequent restructuring of military leadership has reportedly created significant organizational challenges within the Defense Ministry, potentially hampering war effort coordination. Notably, the relative stability of the General Staff has remained unchanged, which some experts argue limits the military’s ability to adapt based on battlefield experiences and undermines command authority.
A particular point of concern among military analysts is the growing dissatisfaction among field generals regarding high command decisions, creating what some view as a political risk factor that Putin must navigate carefully. The removal of Salyukov, who brought extensive experience including oversight of ground forces throughout more than three years of the Ukrainian conflict, may further complicate these dynamics.
This latest military leadership adjustment occurs against the backdrop of continuing territorial gains by Russian forces in Ukraine, though the pace of advancement has been characterized as methodical rather than rapid. The Russian military’s recent successes in capturing strategic locations in Donetsk demonstrate continued operational capability, despite the organizational changes at the highest levels of command.
The impact of Salyukov’s removal on ongoing military operations and the broader command structure remains to be seen, particularly given his extensive experience in leading Russia’s ground forces through both peacetime and conflict. The decision represents one of the most significant changes in Russian military leadership since the conflict’s inception and adds another layer of complexity to the evolving military situation in Ukraine.
The timing of this command change, coinciding with advancing peace negotiations and continued territorial gains, suggests possible shifts in Russian military strategy or expectations from the Kremlin regarding the pace and scale of military achievements in Ukraine.