Colonel General Alexander Chaiko has been appointed commander-in-chief of Russia’s Aerospace Forces (VKS), RBC reports, citing a source familiar with the кадровое decision. Another source close to the Defense Ministry also confirmed the reshuffle to the outlet.
Previously, Colonel General Viktor Afzalov served as commander-in-chief of the VKS. Since 2019, Alexander Chaiko had commanded the Russian grouping in Syria, and from November 2021 to July 2022 he served as commander of the Eastern Military District.
In March, the European Union imposed sanctions on Alexander Chaiko and eight other unit commanders. They are considered to be involved in the killings of civilians in Bucha in March 2022, when Chaiko held the position of commander of the Eastern Military District.
Earlier, Chaiko was mentioned in an intelligence report from one of the European countries. According to the report, Putin ordered increased security for the general and assigned Federal Protective Service officers to him after disagreements between силовые agencies during a closed meeting where Ukrainian attacks on high-ranking Russian military officials were discussed.