Putin changed the commander of the Ground Forces: ISW analysts explained what the dictator has in mind.

Appointment of a new commander of the Russian Ground Forces

Vladimir Putin appointed a new commander of the Ground Forces - Andrey Mordvichev. This military figure is known for employing assaults with high casualty rates. According to the Institute for the Study of War, Mordvichev led the central grouping of troops and the Central Military District of Russia, overseeing the capture of Avdiivka in February 2024.

According to ISW, military sources welcome Mordvichev's appointment, interpreting it as the beginning of modernization in the Kremlin. The institute believes that this commander's appointment may direct Russian forces toward expanding positional warfare tactics in Ukraine and beyond.

“It is likely that the Kremlin appointed Mordvichev to expand positional warfare tactics and operational concepts for grinding forward - the main tactic that Russian forces have used in the Avdiivka-Pokrovsk direction - in the Russian Ground Forces,” ISW's report states.

The report also highlights that Mordvichev is known as one of the most prominent Russian commanders, who penetrated deeply behind the Ukrainian front line, but this achievement came at the cost of high casualties. The Russian general faces the threat of imprisonment for 15 years.

Recall that in March 2022, the Ukrainian Armed Forces destroyed the command post where Mordvichev was present. It was also previously reported that the main headquarters of the Russian armed forces might be undergoing a military-medical commission in Moscow.

Analysis

The appointment of Andrey Mordvichev as commander of the Ground Forces may symbolize the beginning of a new phase of military operations in Russia. Due to his known and costly tactics, the Kremlin may be planning to intensify its military actions both in Ukraine and in other regions. The tougher strategy represented by Mordvichev could lead to further escalation of the conflict and risks for the civilian population.