Many Russians believe that he cares about the presentation of the army, not its substance.

After being appointed as the head of the occupation forces in Ukraine, the Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Federation Valery Gerasimov began to pay attention to everyday discipline. His actions were criticized in Russia. According to some people, the general pays attention to the presentation of the army, not its combat capability.

These conclusions were shared by British intelligence in a daily report on the war in Ukraine. As the analysts stated: “Since the adoption of the command [Герасимовым] officers tried to discourage non-standard uniforms, driving in civilian cars, use of mobile phones and non-standard haircuts. These measures were met with skeptical responses. However, attempts to improve the quality of servicemen’s shaving caused the most ridicule.”

The so-called “DPR” called the arrangement of priorities in the Russian command a “farce” that “will hinder the process of destroying the enemy.” And Valery Prigozhin, the head of the “Wagner” PMC, said that “war is a time of the active and courageous, not clean-shaven.” As reported in British intelligence, Gerasimov, along with Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, are perceived as leaders who care more about the presentation of the army than about its combat capability.

“Russian forces continue to be at an operational impasse and suffer heavy losses; the priority given to Gerasimov’s mostly minor regulatory acts is likely to confirm the fears of his many skeptics in Russia,” British intelligence concluded.

Appointment of Gerasimov as the commander of the occupation forces

The Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Federation assumed this position on January 11. According to the GUR, Kremlin dictator Vladimir Putin instructed Gerasimov to seize Luhansk and Donetsk regions by March.

Western experts believe that the change of leadership in the army is not only the result of Russia’s military failures, but also a consequence of the struggle for influence in the circle of the Russian president.

This is the opinion of the analysts of the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). According to them, the previous commander Serhiy Surovikin was a favorite of the security forces. To weaken the power of the latter, Putin appointed Gerasimov to the post.

The Pentagon believes that personnel reshuffles confirm “the systemic problems that the Russian military has faced since this invasion.”

According to Oleksiy Danilov, Secretary of the National Security Council, the change of leadership indicates the desire of the Rashists to make a radical leap. After him, it will no longer be possible to shift the blame for defeats to someone else.