Gen. Sergei Surovikin, new commander of Russian forces in Ukraine

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The Russian Defense Ministry has announced General Sergei Surovikin as the new commander of Russian forces in Ukraine, a week after the Russian withdrawal from the strategic city of Liman due to the Ukrainian advance.

Surovikin has so far commanded the southern flank forces during the conflict and has previously served as commander-in-chief of Russian aerospace forces, as well as responsible for operations command in Syria.

The 55-year-old Novosibirsk-born general also took part in the second Chechen campaign and the conflict in Tajikistan, according to the statement carried by Interfax.

The general was sanctioned by the European Union in February.