Colonel-General Afzalov appointed as chief of Russian air force -agencies

Surovikin, dubbed "General Armageddon" for his use of carpet bombing tactics during Russia's intervention in Syria's civil war, briefly headed Russia’s campaign in Ukraine last year before being demoted in January. He became popular among hardline critics of the Russian military establishment including Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin, who was killed in a plane crash in August.

Colonel-General Viktor Afzalov has been appointed as commander of the Russian air force, Russian state-run RIA and TASS news agencies reported, citing sources.

Afzalov had been acting as air force chief after General Sergei Surovikin was removed from the role in August. Surovikin, dubbed "General Armageddon" for his use of carpet bombing tactics during Russia's intervention in Syria's civil war, briefly headed Russia's campaign in Ukraine last year before being demoted in January.

He became popular among hardline critics of the Russian military establishment including Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin, who was killed in a plane crash in August. The general, who was praised publicly by Prigozhin, disappeared from public view after the mutiny. The New York Times reported that U.S. intelligence believed he had known in advance about the revolt, the biggest challenge to President Vladimir Putin's authority in his 24 years in power.

In September Surovikin apparently returned to official duties as he was a part of the Russian Defence Ministry's delegation to Algeria. 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 onslaught against it.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)