Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, with Colonel General Alexander Dvornikov during an awards ceremony in the Moscow Kremlin, Russia. This photo is from March 17, 2016.
But then, if it’s a regular appointment, why are people talking about it? Alexander Dvornikov was given charge of coming up with a plan to link Ukraine to the Donbass.
Who is Alexander Dvornikov?
Alexander Dvornikov, 60, was the first commander in charge of Russia’s military operations in Syria when Putin sent troops to support the Syrian government run by Bashar al-Assad in 2015.
alexandr dvornikov is One of Russia’s most experienced military officers and – according to US officials – a general with a record of brutality against civilians in Syria and other war theaters. Until now, Russia had no central combat commander on the ground.
Under 60-year-old’s command from September 2015 to 2016, the Assad regime and its allies were supported as they laid siege to rebel-held eastern Aleppo, bombing densely populated areas and causing major civilian casualties.
Dvornikov is a career military officer and has risen steadily through the ranks since starting as a platoon commander in 1982. He fought during the second war in Chechnya and served in several top positions before being in charge of Russian troops in Syria in 2015.
Dubbed the “Butcher of Syria”
Alexander was called the “Butcher of Syria” because of his ruthless war strategy, which helped Syrian President Bashar al-Assad crush the rebels.
Previously, Dvorknikov was in charge of the Tank Division and Motor Rifle Divisions. The state awarded him the title of “Hero of Russia” in 2016.
(with inputs from agencies)