Russian Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov appeared in a video released today, Monday, where he issues orders to destroy Ukrainian missile launch sites in his first public appearance since the failed rebellion on June 24. Gerasimov (67 years old) was seen in a room at a military command headquarters, sitting in a white leather chair, presiding over a meeting with senior generals, including the head of military intelligence, while issuing orders.
Reports presented to Gerasimov indicated that Russian forces thwarted a Ukrainian missile attack on the Crimean Peninsula, which Russia annexed from Ukraine in 2014, as well as in the Rostov and Kaluga regions on Sunday. He discussed how Russia should respond. The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that "the video showed Gerasimov while he chaired the meeting yesterday." They referred to Gerasimov as "the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Russia and the commander of Russian forces in Ukraine, a role he has held since before the rebellion."
The video indicates that Russian President Vladimir Putin has retained his two key military officials, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Gerasimov, in their positions despite demands from Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin for their dismissal during the rebellion. Prigozhin's rebellion on June 24 aimed to settle scores with Shoigu and Gerasimov, whom he accused of betrayal and incompetence, claiming that they led Putin into a losing war.
