Izvestiya reports today that General-Lieutenant Andrey Serdyukov is set to replace General-Colonel Vladimir Shamanov as commander of the Russian Airborne Troops (VDV).
Shamanov, who will turn 60 in February, has commanded the VDV since early 2009. But he could continue to serve beyond 60 at the president’s discretion under Russian law.
General-Lieutenant Andrey Serdyukov
The 53-year-old General-Lieutenant Serdyukov has been serving as first deputy commander and chief of staff in the Southern MD. He reportedly played a key part in the seizure of Crimea from Ukraine in 2014.
A presidential decree on the personnel change has not been issued, but Kremlin press-secretary Dmitriy Peskov did not deny plans to elevate Serdyukov when asked by Izvestiya.
Russian media sources have reported that Shamanov’s retirement post will be a seat in the new State Duma and chairmanship of its Defense Committee. Readers will recall that Shamanov is a member of the president’s United Russia party and served as governor of Ulyanovsk Oblast.
Russian Defense Policy 