President Vladimir Putin has removed Russia’s top commander in Ukraine, just three months after he was installed.
Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov will now lead what Mr Putin terms a “special military operation”.
General Gerasimov replaces Sergei Surovikin who has overseen recent brutal attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
The reshuffle comes as Russians claim they are making progress in eastern Ukraine after suffering a series of military defeats in recent months.
Russia launched its invasion into Ukraine on 24 February.
