Putin appoints top general to Security Council
Russian President Vladimir Putin has appointed General Oleg Salyukov as deputy secretary of the National Security Council, according to a decree issued on Thursday. Concurrently, Salyukov has been relieved of his role as the commander-in-chief of the Russian Ground Forces.
Salyukov had commanded the Russian Ground Forces – the largest branch of the country’s military by personnel – since 2014. Prior to that, he served as deputy head of the General Staff and led the Russian Far Eastern military district.
In 2023, he became deputy commander of Russia’s military operation in Ukraine, under Army General Valery Gerasimov, the head of the General Staff.
Salyukov also inspected Russian troops stationed in Belarus after a joint military force was established there in October 2022. Additionally, he oversaw the Victory Day military parades on Red Square for 11 consecutive years.
Putin has not publicly explained his decision to appoint Salyukov to the Security Council or to relieve him of his previous duties. In his new role, Salyukov will serve under former Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu, who currently heads the council.
The Kremlin has yet to announce who will take over as the new commander-in-chief of the Russian Ground Forces.
