The Russian Defense Ministry on October 27 announced the appointment of Colonel General Viktor Afzalov as commander of the Russian Aerospace Forces. Russian state-run RIA Novosti and TASS news agencies reported his appointment last week, citing sources. Afzalov served as acting air force chief after General Sergei Surovikin was removed from the role in August following Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin’s mutiny. Afzalov was previously deputy to Surovikin and has been chief of staff of the Aerospace Forces for at least four years, according to British military intelligence. Ukraine says he played a direct role in the planning and prosecution of Russia’s invasion.
