Vladimir Putin appoints new Ukraine war commander

Russian leader Vladimir Putin has appointed a new commander for the war in Ukraine – Valery Gerasimov.

This is the latest move in a major shake-up of Moscow’s military leadership, during the invasion of its neighbour.

In a statement, the defence ministry said that Gerasimov’s appointment constituted a “raising of the status of the leadership” of the military force in Ukraine and was implemented to “improve the quality … and effectiveness of the management of Russian forces”.

Sergei Surovikin, who was appointed as overall commander of the army last year, would stay on as a deputy of Gerasimov, the defence ministry said.

The latest change in leadership comes amid ongoing tensions between senior figures in charge of Russia’s war in Ukraine.