Russian Defense Ministry Spokesperson Lieutenant General Igor Konashekov told reporters on Saturday that Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu appointed Army General Sergey Surovikin to command the joint group of forces involved in Ukraine. 

"Army General Sergey Surovikin has been appointed to command the joint group of forces in the area of the special military operation in Ukraine based on the Russian defense minister’s decision," Konashekov announced.

It is noteworthy that General Surovikin had served as Commander of Russia’s Eastern Military District and led Russian troops in Syria.

In the previous months, Surovikin served as Commander of the Forces of the South group operating in Ukraine.

He served from March until October 2017, and from January until April 2019, as the Commander of Russia’s Eastern Military District and led Russian troops in Syria.

Since October 2017, Surovikin has been in command of the Russian Aerospace Forces. He was also one of the leaders of the anti-terror operation in the second Chechen war from 1999 to 2009.