Vladimir Putin appoints a general sanctioned by the EU for involvement in the massacre in Bucha to lead the Russian Aerospace Forces.

Vladimir Putin has decided to appoint General Aleksandr Chaiko, 54 years old, to lead the Russian Aerospace Forces, replacing Viktor Afzalov.

Chaiko, deputy chief of the General Staff, was involved in the massacre of civilians in Bucha, where over 400 Ukrainians were killed, and he has been sanctioned by the European Union for his role in this incident. At the beginning of the invasion, he was the commander of the Eastern Military District and played an active role in the offensive on Kyiv from Belarus. Chaiko was also involved in attacks on civilians in Syria.

The change of command comes in a context where the Russian air forces have failed to achieve air superiority in Ukraine, despite their numerical advantage.