The Russian Defense Ministry is being fine-tuned for the ongoing hostilities, the president has said Published 5 Aug, 2026 10:20 | Updated 5 Aug, 2026 10:40 President Vladimir Putin has announced changes among senior military commanders of the Russian armed forces, which he described as fine-tuning of the Defense Ministry for the ongoing Ukraine conflict. The reshuffle was made public during a government meeting on Wednesday. It includes appointing a single person in charge of military logistics and arms supplies. He named Col. Gen. Valery Solodchuk, the commander of the ‘Center’ group of forces, to the position. “Leading the logistics is a combat mission too,” Putin said, addressing the general directly. “I am confident that you will demonstrate your best qualities while organizing it.” Col. Gen. Andrey Ivanaev, the commander of the ‘Vostok’ group, will be taking Solodchuk’s previous job. Ivanaev recommended Maj. Gen. Pyotr Bolgarev, the chief of staff of the Vostok group, as his replacement, which Putin approved. Putin also appointed Col. Gen. Denis Lyamin as the commander of the Russian Unmanned Systems Forces, a new military arm officially created last November. READ MORE: How Zelensky’s 40-day ‘influence operation’ against Russia fell apart Defense Minister Andrey Belousov and Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov attended the meeting with the president alongside the appointed commanders. DETAILS TO FOLLOW
