Russia has appointed Colonel General Yevgeny Nikiforov as the new commander of the ‘North’ grouping of military forces, succeeding Alexander Lapin. Lapin, who had led the grouping since July 2022, was reportedly forced to resign earlier this month due to unspecified health issues.
The ‘North’ grouping is responsible for operations in Ukraine’s eastern regions, including the Donbas area, where significant combat has occurred throughout the war. With this leadership change, the Russian military is reorganizing its command structure to address the challenges of prolonged conflict.
Lapin’s resignation came after he was reportedly cited by pro-war bloggers as resigning due to health concerns. However, his departure has led to a shift in command, with Nikiforov now tasked with overseeing military operations in the region. The appointment reflects the dynamic nature of military leadership in the context of ongoing hostilities.
This change in command is part of Russia’s efforts to maintain control and strategic advantage in the Ukraine conflict. The military leadership change underscores the challenges of conducting a prolonged war effort and the need for continuous reorganization and adaptation.