The 55-year-old is infamous for ordering troops to open fire on pro-democracy protesters in Moscow, when three people were killed during the final days of the Soviet Union in 1991
Military analyst Forbes McKenzie, head of McKenzie Intelligence, told Sky News the main reason for his appointment was Gen Surovikin's"brand"."He has shown his ability to wage a war that involves nuclear, biological and chemical weapons, the last of which he used in Syria.Gen Surovikin is accused of overseeing indiscriminate bombing of anti-government forces in Syria. Pic: AP
Mr McKenzie said another factor in the appointment is likely to be how it will affect the power struggle around the Kremlin that many commentators suggest has emerged since the launch of Russia's troubled military campaign in Ukraine., which is believed to have been active for Russia in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine.The founder of the Wagner mercenary group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, and Vladimir Putin in 2010.
"So there is a strong indication that this appointment is also Putin consolidating his power among the various commanders." "A way to signal that is by essentially saying, 'you've asked me to go further. Now I've got the top man for the job, someone who's shown he is capable of that, in Surovikin'." "The fact Surovikin is a savage and someone who's notorious for shooting protesters and using chemical weapons in Syria sends out a clear signal, while increasing the intimidation factor.The man appointed to lead Russian forces in Ukraine is said to have ordered troops to open fire on protesters in Moscow, in 1991. Pic: AP
"But then again, he's got the ability to perhaps go places where other generals wouldn't be willing to go."He's there to underpin that particular threat, around the use of nuclear weapons.
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