Russia Appoints New Air Force Commander

Russian media reported today, Wednesday, that "Russia has appointed an acting new commander of the Air Force, replacing Sergey Surovikin, who has disappeared from public view following a rebellion led by the Wagner private military group against senior military leaders." The agency quoted an unnamed source stating, "Surovikin has been relieved of his position, and Colonel General Viktor Afzalov, Chief of Staff of the Air Force, has been temporarily appointed as the acting commander." The Russian television channel RBC reported yesterday, Tuesday, that "Surovikin has been dismissed from his post as Air Force commander." Reports about Surovikin's dismissal indicate that authorities found a fault in his conduct, but the details of the alleged misconduct remain unknown.