Afzalov headed the Russian Aerospace Forces

Russian President Vladimir Putin in October signed a decree appointing Colonel General Viktor Afzalov to the post of Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS), should from the Ministry of Defense website data.

October 20 about the appointment of Afzalov as Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Aerospace Forces with reference to sources reported TASS and RIA Novosti. The information has now been published on the Ministry of Defense website.

“In October 2023, by decree of the President of the Russian Federation, he was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Aerospace Forces,” says Afzalov’s biographical information on the ministry’s website.

Afzalov was born in 1968 in the Simferopol district of the Crimean region. He graduated from the Pushkin Higher School of Air Defense Radioelectronics, the Military Academy of Air Defense, and the Military Academy of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces. He began his military service in 1989. In 2018, he became the chief of the main staff – first deputy commander-in-chief of the Russian Aerospace Forces. He served in this position until his new appointment.

It is noted that Afzalov is a participant in hostilities. He was awarded the Order of Military Merit, Alexander Nevsky, as well as the Order of Merit for the Fatherland, VI and III degrees, etc.

Previously, the position of Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Aerospace Forces was held by General Sergei Surovikin. At the end of August, RIA Novosti and RBC reported about his resignation. RIA Novosti claimed that Afzalov was appointed acting in this position. Later State Duma deputy, retired Colonel General Viktor Zavarzin reportedthat Surovikin was found another “good” position. According to an RBC source, after his removal from the post of commander-in-chief of the Aerospace Forces, the general also ceased to be deputy commander of the special operation in Ukraine.