US: New Russian Commander Has History of Atrocities Against Civilians... Also in Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin is taking a commemorative photo with Lieutenant Colonel Aleksandr Dvornikov, Deputy Commander of the Central Military District, after being awarded the title of Hero of the Russian Federation on March 17, 2016, in Moscow, Russia.
[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Joselgina] The newly appointed overall commander of the Russian military in the Ukraine war has a history of committing barbaric acts against civilians in Syria, raising concerns that even more brutal attacks could be carried out in Ukraine.

Jake Sullivan, U.S. White House National Security Advisor, appeared on CNN's "State of the Union" on the 10th (local time) and stated, "(The new commander) will be someone who commits further crimes and atrocities against Ukrainian civilians." He explained, "This general has a record of barbaric acts against civilians throughout Syria, and it is expected that he could commit more such acts."

Earlier, CNN reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin appointed Aleksandr Dvornikov, commander of the Southern Military District, as the commander responsible for the Ukraine war. Dvornikov, aged 60 this year, served as the inaugural commander when President Putin dispatched troops to Syria in September 2015 to support the Bashar al-Assad government. Russia supported the Assad government with air power, which resulted in massive civilian casualties.

However, Advisor Sullivan assessed that Russia has already "experienced strategic failure," stating, "No matter which general is appointed, the fact that Russia is already facing strategic failure in Ukraine cannot be erased." He added, "They thought they could conquer the capital and occupy other major cities with little resistance," and "What we learned in the first few weeks of the war is that Ukraine will never be subjugated by Russia."

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki also expressed concern in an interview with Fox News Sunday on the same day about the appointment of the new Russian commander, saying it "shows that the kinds of things we have already seen in Ukraine will continue," referring to ongoing atrocities against civilians. Psaki mentioned that Commander Dvornikov "is responsible for the atrocities we witnessed in Syria" and said discussions are ongoing to support Ukraine.

Dmytro Kuleba, Ukraine's Foreign Minister, said in an interview with U.S. NBC News, "Whatever Russia plans, we have our own strategy," adding, "This strategy is based on the confidence that we will win this war and liberate our territory."