Moscow has reportedly dismissed Sergei Kisel, the general in charge of Russian forces in Syria, after insurgents advanced into Aleppo. This marks one of the biggest challenges to President Bashar al-Assad in years.
Leadership Change in Syria
The news came from Russian war blogs, such as the Rybar Telegram channel and Voenny Osvedomitel, which are linked to the defense ministry. Although the Russian defense ministry has not confirmed the reports, these blogs suggest Kisel may be replaced by Colonel General Alexander Chaiko. Kisel, 53, previously commanded Russia’s 1st Guards Tank Army in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region, where his forces suffered a major setback in 2022.
Criticism of Kisel
Military bloggers were harsh in their criticism of Kisel. Voenny Osvedomitel wrote, “Apparently he was supposed to reveal his hidden talents in Syria, but something got in the way again.” Rybar also commented, “The approach needs to change.” They pointed out that Syria is often used to rehabilitate the reputations of unsuccessful generals.
There is speculation that Russia might bring back Sergei Surovikin, known as “General Armageddon” for his brutal tactics in Syria. Surovikin briefly led Russia’s war in Ukraine but was demoted amid rumors of his involvement in a mutiny by the Wagner mercenary group.
Insurgent Gains in Aleppo
The insurgents’ advance is the first major one since the 2020 ceasefire between Russia and Turkey. This truce had largely stopped military actions in northwest Syria, where Turkey backs opposition groups. The rebels are a mix of Turkish-backed forces and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a powerful Islamist group.
Recently, the Syrian army announced it had recaptured several towns taken by the insurgents. Aleppo, once the country’s largest city, had been under government control since 2016. Russian-backed forces helped Assad’s troops win that key battle, but the current insurgency is now threatening the stability of the region.
Changing Dynamics
The rebel advance in Aleppo highlights ongoing instability in Syria, despite years of Russian support for Assad. This event shows how Syria’s conflict continues to evolve, with Russia facing challenges on multiple fronts. The reshuffling of military leadership signals Moscow’s ongoing struggle to control its forces in both Syria and Ukraine.