Putin sends "butchers of Syria": Bundeswehr paper shows his mission - and the whereabouts of the predecessors
Created: 04/15/2022, 20:46
By: Marcus Giebel
Historic day: Alexander Dvornikov is also not far away from the military parades on “Victory Day” on May 9th.
© IMAGO / ITAR-TASS
The "Butcher of Syria" is intended to bring Vladimir Putin military successes in Ukraine.
The Bundeswehr took a closer look at the new commander-in-chief.
Munich – The steel blue eyes always seem expressionless.
Otherwise, Alexander Dwornikov does not change a face in the few photos that are circulating of the highly decorated military.
Emotions are clearly not his thing.
Which should make him a general to Vladimir Putin's taste.
After all, in the Ukraine war the Kremlin boss needs subordinates more than ever who will follow his orders without letting the slightest doubt shine through.
Especially now that the planned capture of Kyiv had to be abandoned and the ruler is concentrating entirely on eastern Ukraine.
Ukraine war and "Butcher of Syria": Dwornikov is said to have ordered the use of poison gas
So now Dwornikow is supposed to lead the so-called "special operation" on the field to success.
He became known to the public as the "Butcher of Syria" - a nickname that oozes reverence and ferocity.
It can be traced back to reports that Dwornikov had used poison gas in that combat operation and had acted particularly brutally against civilians.
Putin later celebrated him as a hero.
So the world can guess what's in store for Ukraine, just as Russian anger appears to have reached a new level following the sinking of the flagship Moskva.
Despite everything, it doesn't hurt to find out more about the new supreme commander of the Russian troops in Ukraine in advance.
Appointment with Vladimir Putin (l.): During a sea maneuver, Alexander Dwornikov (r.) also looks at the sky.
© IMAGO / ITAR-TASS
“Butcher of Syria” now about Ukraine War: Joined the Red Army in 1968
The Bundeswehr has already gotten a better picture of Dwornikow.
This is traced by the
Business Insider
portal , which claims to have the internal briefing on the situation in the war country.
Accordingly, Dwornikov was born in 1962 not far from the Chinese border in Ussuriysk in the very south-east of the Soviet Union.
He joined the Red Army in 1978 and just four years later he was promoted to company commander and battalion commander.
In the 1990s, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, Dvornikov became chief of staff of a regiment in the Moscow Military District.
Career of the “Butcher of Syria”: Dwornikov was also deployed in the Second Chechen War
From 2000 to 2003 he was deployed in the North Caucasus military district and accordingly played a role in the Second Chechen War, in which a total of up to 80,000 people are said to have fallen victim.
After attending the Generals course at the Military Academy from 2005 to 2007, Dwornikov took over the post of Chief of Staff of the 36th Army.
From the Kremlin's point of view, this was followed by what was probably his greatest act to date as commander of the Russian armed forces in Syria in 2015 and 2016. Since then, Dvornikov has acted as commander of the southern military district bordering Ukraine.
His rank is Army General - it is the highest officer rank among generals.
Video: The Donbass as a crisis region in Ukraine
Putin trusts "butchers of Syria" in the Ukraine war: Operation management "poorly coordinated"
The Bundeswehr documents also show why Putin felt compelled to make a change at the head of his armed forces.
The previous conduct of operations had been "inadequately coordinated" and there could be no question of a joint command for the three axes of attack.
Support from the air force, electronic warfare or air defense is described as "fragmented".
"Criticism of the conduct of operations and the ability of the General Staff" had become loud.
As a result, commanders were dismissed, and some were placed under house arrest.
It goes on to say that Dwornikov must initiate renewed training for the soldiers, that new material - which for once does not mean people - is needed and that the procedure at the level of the large military units should be improved.
The following is particularly emphasized: "The morale and willingness to fight of the soldiers" must be built up.
Bundeswehr on the "butchers of Syria": "Battle tested and "determined"
The Bundeswehr estimates that under Dwornikow there will be better coordination of the different branches of the armed forces.
He is at the head of a military leadership that is "battle-hardened and determined."
The new commander-in-chief knows the terrain.
According to the dossier, it is feared that "civilian victims are accepted with approval."
Presumably, the capture of the Donbass is the “minimum political goal”.
Since the Bundeswehr assumes that Putin wants to see success on "Victory Day" over Nazi Germany on May 9, heavy fighting is likely to lie ahead in the coming weeks.
Which is not least in the hands of Dwornikow.
He will definitely not want to disappoint his admirers.
(mg)