Russia replaces logistics commander before Ukraine's counterattack

General Kuzmenkov (right) replaces General Mikhail as the Russian army's logistics commander (Photo: Getty).

The announcement came after days of speculation about the replacement of the commander, General Mikhail Mizintsev.

The person assigned to replace him is Deputy Commander of the National Guard, General Alexei Kuzmenkov. "Mr. Kuzmenkov was appointed to the position of Deputy Minister of Defense of Russia, responsible for logistical support for the armed forces," according to the announcement of the Russian Defense Ministry .

The Russian Defense Ministry did not give a reason for Mr. Mizintsev's replacement, but according to experts, in the context of Kiev planning to launch counterattacks, Moscow wants to strengthen logistics in the army.

According to experts, Russia's special military operation in Ukraine has exposed major logistical problems, which will be especially visible during a withdrawal in Kherson in 2022.

Ukraine’s Southern Operational Command said last week that Ukrainian forces were secretly conducting counter-offensive operations. In this counter-offensive, Ukraine appeared to be targeting Russian logistics depots east of Kherson.

General Mizintsev is the former commander of the Mariupol operation, orchestrating the siege of the Ukrainian city of Mariupol in the early months of the war in 2022. Mr. Mizintsev has been sanctioned by the British government for his role in the siege of the port city of Mariupol in March 2022.

Mr. Mizintsev was appointed to the position of logistics commander in September 2022, a few days after President Vladimir Putin ordered a partial mobilization, calling up reserve forces for the campaign in Ukraine.

According to Tass news agency, Mr. Mizintsev was born in 1962 and graduated from Kalinin Suvorov Military School in 1980.

Meanwhile, Mr. Kuzmenkov graduated from the Volsk Higher Military Logistics School in 1992. From then until 2019, he held various positions in logistical support organizations for the Russian armed forces. Since 2019, he has served as Deputy Commander of the Russian National Guard.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-gioi/nga-thay-tuong-chi-huy-hau-can-truoc-ke-phan-cong-cua-ukraine-20230501143614259.htm