Russian military men born in the 1950s have just about disappeared from active service. A couple who remain are General Staff Chief Valeriy Gerasimov and Ground Troops CINC Oleg Salyukov. But they aren’t likely to stay much longer.
The recent announcement that 65-year-old Army General Gerasimov has been elected president of the quasi-governmental Academy of Military Sciences makes his retirement seem imminent. Also 65, Salyukov’s circumstances can’t be much different.
Some thinking about changing faces and generations is in order.
The men of the ’60s — generals between the ages of 50 and 60 — are now firmly ensconced in most top Russian military posts except a couple of the most important ones — those Gerasimov and Salyukov still occupy.
Who will be the next General Staff Chief and Ground Troops CINC?
No special insight here. High-level military personnel decisions are made by Putin, his closest advisers, and Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu and are closely held until made public.
It is possible, however, to identify several generals who are conceivable candidates. One critical factor could be their perceived willingness to use military force against Putin’s opponents or at least keep the army on the sidelines in a political showdown.
Army General Aleksandr Dvornikov…Commander of the Southern MD. Soon to be 60, Dvornikov is the oldest of the likely candidates.
He’s served more than four years in the key Southern MD. He commanded Russian forces in Syria and has long experience as deputy commander of the Central and Eastern MDs.
Dvornikov commanded combat troops during the First and Second Chechen Wars.
He lacks General Staff experience and his age might be against him.
He could be a suitable Ground Troops CINC. That would free up the Southern MD for a young, fast-burner.
General-Colonel Andrey Kartapolov…Deputy Defense Minister and Chief, Main Military-Political Directorate.
Turning 58 this year, Kartapolov also commanded troops in Syria.
He served briefly as Commander of the Western MD, Deputy Chief of the General Staff, Chief of the Main Operations Directorate (GOU), and deputy commander of the Southern MD.
His appointment to the resurrected GlavPUR seemed to sidetrack a career already deficient in some respects. Unlike the other contenders, he doesn’t have a Hero of the Russian Federation medal.
But Kartapolov can’t be entirely dismissed. Putin and Shoygu have reemphasized political indoctrination in recent years. He might fit the job of Ground Troops CINC, if not General Staff Chief.
General-Colonel Aleksandr Zhuravlev (zhu-rav-LYOV)…Commander of the Western MD.
Zhuravlev turns 56 in December.
Twice he commanded Russian forces in Syria.
He served very briefly as Commander of the Eastern MD.
Zhuravlev also had short stints as Deputy Chief of the General Staff, Chief of Staff, First Deputy Commander of the Southern MD, and Deputy Commander of the Central MD.
General-Colonel Sergey Surovikin…CINC of Aerospace Forces. Currently 54, Surovikin has an interesting array of experience.
In an unprecedented move, Putin appointed this career army officer to head Russia’s air and space forces in 2017.
He commanded Russian troops in Syria.
Surovikin commanded the Eastern MD for four years. He was Chief of Staff, First Deputy Commander of the Central MD and served almost two years as Deputy Chief of the General Staff, Chief of the GOU.
He commanded the 42nd Motorized Rifle Division during the Second Chechen War.
Controversies have dogged Surovikin throughout his career but haven’t stopped his advancement so far.
If Surovikin were to become General Staff Chief (or Ground Troops CINC), a new CINC of Aerospace Forces would be needed. It’s unclear whether the MOD would return to a career air forces officer.
No one outside the Kremlin can say who will get these jobs when they become available. But these are clearly top candidates.
A senior officer probably can’t become General Staff Chief without command in Syria, command in one or two MDs, and some time in the General Staff at a minimum. Combat experience in the Chechen wars might help.
For Ground Troops CINC, there could be other candidates. One is Airborne Troops Commander General-Colonel Andrey Serdyukov. Nearly 59, Serdyukov had command in Syria and was Chief of Staff, First Deputy Commander of the Southern MD. He participated in Russia’s “dash to Pristina” as well as the Chechen wars.
Does it matter who’s Russia’s General Staff Chief?
In the case of Gerasimov, he’s served in a professional, low-key manner. He managed the armed forces smoothly in a period of intensive rearmament, increased training, and significant real-world operations. Although events make us feel otherwise, he’s likely been the source of dispassionate military advice. He surely influenced and advanced the careers of like-minded younger officers. And Gerasimov served Putin and Shoygu without appearing overly close to them.
Another man of the ’50s below the radar is Deputy Defense Minister, Chief of Rear Services Army General Dmitriy Bulgakov. He’ll be 67 (!!) this year. Logistics boss since 2008, he’ll have to be replaced soon.
Similarly, Deputy General Staff Chief, Chief of the GOU General-Colonel Sergey Rudskoy turns 61 this year. His replacement can’t be more than a year or two off.
Russian Defense Policy 
Great post, thanks for the round up.
Another prominent geezer…Pacific Fleet Commander Admiral Sergey Avakyants…he’ll be 63 in April. Probably time for him to depart.
This is a terrible place to put the “answer” (as if there were one). But if forced to make a call, would say that Dvornikov will be Ground Troops CINC. Kartapolov will serve out his time in place in the resurrected GlavPUR. The new NGSh will be either Zhuravlev or Surovikin. The former is experienced but has short tenures in some of his posts. But he might be a more traditional and safe choice. The latter would bring much unique to the job but has just a whiff of unpredictability about him. A large part of the decision may rest in the relationship between these two men and Shoygu and Gerasimov. Gerasimov’s preference and recommendation might carry a lot of weight.
Interesting Goble piece on Putin keeping his gerontocracy in place. The Supreme CINC is definitely comfortable with the long-timers surrounding him. Probably including senior armed forces officers. https://bit.ly/39hM7bk
Another long-timer — 66-year-old Nikolay Pankov — not really MOD military though. An ex-FSB officer who retired from the military ranks 12 years ago — he’s been Putin’s “grey cardinal” in the MOD since 2001. No one still wearing a uniform knows more about what’s happened and why than Pankov. So much for retiring and enjoying life while you still have some life expectancy. It’s a ride that’s hard to get off. But it’s likely been a lucrative one.
RF MOD Main Political Directorate chief Gen-Col Andrey Kartapolov has decided his future is in politics. He registered for United Russia’s voting to select its slate of candidates. Says he’ll leave the MOD if elected to State Duma in Sep. https://bit.ly/3tlL68M
It’s possible high-level moves are underway in the MOD and Kartapolov knows he got aced out. Now he’s trying to make a comfortable home for himself.