Viktor Afzalov appointed new chief of Russian Aerospace Forces, replacing Sergey Surovikin
Colonel General Viktor Afzalov was confirmed as the new commander of Russia’s Aerospace Forces, according to an announcement on the Defense Ministry’s website.
On October 20, Russian state news agencies TASS and RIA Novosti reported that Afzalov had been appointed to the post, citing their sources in the Russian Aerospace Forces. Earlier, RIA Novosti reported that Afzalov held the position of Acting Commander of the Aerospace Forces when the previous commander, Sergey Surovikin, led the Joint Group of Forces in Ukraine.
According to the Defense Ministry, Afzalov was appointed as Chief of Staff and First Deputy Commander of the Air Force and Air Defense of the Eastern Military District in 2012. In July 2017, he was appointed as the district’s Air Force and Air Defense Army commander. In August 2018, he became Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Aerospace Forces.
