Russian President Vladimir Putin has dismissed Oleg Salyukov from his role as commander of the Russian Ground Forces, according to a Kremlin decree published on May 15. The decision comes just days ahead of planned direct talks with Ukrainian representatives in Istanbul.
Salyukov, who had led the high-profile May 9 Victory Day military parade commemorating 80 years since Russia’s defeat of Nazi Germany, was not expected to be removed so abruptly.
The decree states that Salyukov has been appointed Deputy Secretary of the Russian Security Council, a powerful advisory body that convenes regularly around President Putin. As part of this reshuffle, he has been “relieved of his current duties.”
The Security Council is currently headed by former Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, who assumed the role last year following his own departure from the Defense Ministry.
Salyukov had served as commander of Russia’s ground forces since 2014, overseeing key operations including the military intervention in Syria and the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Prior to that, he was Deputy Chief of the General Staff for four years.
The timing of this move, on the eve of sensitive negotiations, signals potential strategic recalibrations within the Russian military hierarchy.