(Central News Agency) Russia has replaced Ukrainian combat commander Sergey Surovikin, the Russian Defense Ministry said today.

Known for his brutal style, he was dubbed the "General of Doomsday" by the Russian media, but he was dismissed after only three months in office.

"General Valery Gerasimov, chief of the Russian military staff, has been appointed Commander of the Joint Grouping of Troops (in Ukraine)," the Russian Ministry of Defense said, according to Agence France-Presse. .”

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On the other hand, the former Ukrainian combat commander Sulovkin will serve as Gerasimov's deputy.

Sulovkin will work alongside two other generals, Oleg Salyukov and Alexei Kim, according to a statement from the Russian Ministry of Defense.

Known for his brutal style, Sulovkin was dubbed "General Armageddon" by the Russian media.

He is a veteran of Russia's battles in Chechnya and Syria and was decorated by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

He was appointed Ukrainian combat commander in October last year, replacing then commander Gennady Zhidko, but stepped down after only three months in office.

Sulovkin had suggested withdrawing troops from Ukraine's Kherson and the west bank of the River Dnipro, but disaffected figures criticized him.

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