Russian general responsible for killing 34 Turkish soldiers back in command in Syria

Russian Army General Aleksandr Yuryevich Chaiko, known for his previous command in Syria from 2017 to 2019, has returned to lead Russian forces in the region after the dismissal of General Sergey Aleksandrovich Kisel, according to reports from security sources both from the Ukrainian side and the Russian side.

Shift in Russian command in Syria

The Kremlin’s decision to replace General Kisel follows significant losses and operational challenges faced by Russian forces in Syria.

Kisel, previously criticized for his failures during Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, was reassigned to Syria after his dismissal as commander of the 1st Guards Tank Army in March 2022. His tenure in Syria has reportedly been marred by further setbacks.

Chaiko’s return to command is seen as an effort to stabilize Russian operations and support the Syrian regime under President Bashar al-Assad.

According to Ukrainian intelligence, Admiral Aleksandr Moiseev, commander of the Russian navy, has also been stationed at the Tartus naval base to bolster military coordination between the Russian units and the Syrian regime forces.

Ukrainian intelligence confirms report

Because of losses and panic among Russian troops in Syria, the Kremlin has dismissed General Sergey Kisel, the commander of its Syrian grouping.

Earlier, General Kisel was distinguished by his failed actions during the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, for which he was also dismissed from his post and then sent on a business trip to Syria.

To replace Kisely and help the Bashar al-Assad regime, Moscow sent another military commander, General Aleksandr Chaiko, who commanded a group of Russian troops in Syria in 2017-2019 and has already arrived in Syria.

The commander of the Russian navy, Admiral Aleksandr Moiseev, also appeared at the naval base in Tartus.

Defense intelligence of Ukraine

He was involved in attacks targeting civilian infrastructure: HRW

Human Rights Watch also confirms he was involved in Russian attacks targeting civilian infrastructure in Syria, mostly in Idlib.

The Syrian and Russian civilian and military commanders who may bear command responsibility for violations during the 2019-2020 Idlib offensive include:

Sergei Rudskoy, commander of Russian forces in Syria, from at least some time in March 2019 until April 10, 2019,

Col.-Gen. Sergei Vladimirovich Surovikin, commander of Russian forces in Syria from April 10, 2019, until September 2019,

Col.-Gen. Andrei Nikolaevich Serdyukov, and commander of Russian forces in Syria from September 2019 until at least September 2020, Lt.-Gen. Alexander Yuryevich Chaiko.

Human Rights Watch

The Russian Ministry of Defense has also appointed commanders of the Russian forces in Syria. According to information publicly available, there were three commanders of Russian forces in Syria during the offensive in Idlib from March 2019 until March 2020:

• Colonel-General Sergei Vladimirovich Surovikin, from at least March 2019 until April 10, 2019
• Colonel-General Andrei Nikolaevich Serdyukov, from April 10, 2019, until September 2019
• Lieutenant-General Alexander Yuryevich Chaiko, from September 2019 until at least September 2020.

On January 7, 2020, Putin, Shoigu, Rudskoy and Chaiko were all present in the Russian command post in Damascus with Assad and Ayoub, according to the HRW’s report.

Turkish retaliation after 2020 incident

Russian general Chaiko was in command and involved in the February 27, 2020, airstrike in Balyun, Idlib, that killed 34 Turkish soldiers. In response, the Turkish Army launched widespread artillery strikes targeting massive damage to the Syrian government assets, including Iran-backed Hezbollah militants.

Escalation in northern Syria

Syrian forces in Syria have recently launched successful offensives, putting Russian-backed Syrian regime forces on the defensive. Over three days of fighting, Russian units reportedly suffered significant losses, with some troops encircled. Hundreds of Russian personnel are reportedly missing, according to Ukrainian defense intelligence.

After three days of successful offensives by pro-Turkish forces in Syria, Russian troops suffered significant losses, and some units of the aggressor state were surrounded. Hundreds of Muscovites are reported missing in Syria.

Defense intelligence of Ukraine

The Kremlin’s shake-up in Syrian command reflects the broader challenges faced by Russian forces operating in multiple theaters.

Pro-Russian channel reports first

One of the first people who announced his resignation was the pro-Kremlin channel Rybar. He said Russian General Sergey Kissel, the commander of the Russian troops in Syria, has been relieved of duty on its Telegram post.

Regardless of why these high-ranking officers are not currently commanding units in the Special Military Operation (SMO) zone, the decision to involve an experienced general like Chaiko, who has spent several years in Syria, might appear reasonable to some extent.

A different and equally pressing question is whether it is realistically possible to hold Aleppo given the resource shortages—primarily the availability of forces under the Syrian Army and local oligarch-backed militias.

In the current circumstances, there might even be considerations about recalling Sergey Surovikin, who is currently in Algeria, and offering him a political opportunity. Surovikin is credited with some of the most effective and successful operations in Syria.

Rybar