Russia’s western group in Ukraine to be headed by general who led offensive on Kyiv - British intelligence

The UK Ministry of Defense said this in an intelligence update, Ukrinform reports.

According to the British intelligence, Lieutenant General Yevgeniy Nikiforov is likely in the process of taking over command of Russia’s Western Group of Forces (WGF) in Ukraine. He would be at least the fourth commander of the formation since the invasion, and replaces Colonel General Sergei Kuzovlev, who was appointed just three months ago.

It is noted that as the Chief of Staff of Russia’s Eastern Group of Forces (EGF) during the early weeks of the invasion, Nikiforov would have been heavily involved in planning the disastrous attempt by EGF and airborne forces to advance on Kyiv from the north-west, via the Chernobyl area.

Currently, according to the British intelligence, WGF is almost certainly currently tasked with holding Russia’s right flank, the area of Luhansk region around Kremina and Svatove.

“The continued churn of senior Russian officers probably reflects internal divisions regarding the Russian Ministry of Defence’s future conduct of the war,” the ministry said.

As reported, the Russian Federation changed the commander of the Western Military District four times since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Photo: Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine’s Defense Ministry

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