Reports say that General Alexander Dvornikov was appointed as the new commander of the military in Ukraine.
Western officials told the British Broadcasting Corporation that Dvornikov, a general who played a significant role in the Russian bombardment of Syria, has been put in charge.
The outlet said Dvornikov has been tasked with improving coordination between Russian forces.
The move comes as Russia restrategizes and shifts its focus to the Donbas region, after its invasion stalls in much of the country.
Alexander Dvornikov, who is currently Commander of Russia's Southern Military District, is hoping that he can restore the honor of the Russian army.
Russian forces have suffered heavy losses since they began their invasion of Ukraine.
Dvornikov commanded several units in the Russian military after joining the Soviet Army.
He became the first commander of the Russian armed forces in Syria in September of 2015.
The highest military honor in the country, the Hero of the Russian Federation, was awarded to Dvornikov for his leadership in Syria.
A UN investigation into atrocities committed in Syria said that Russia was partly to blame for war crimes due to indiscriminate attacks in civilian areas without a specific military objective.
Dvornikov was appointed Commander of the Southern Military District after he returned from Syria.
A report by the Institute for the Study of War said that Dvornikov used his experience in Syria to reorganize the Southern Military District into a joint force grouping capable of operating effectively on land, sea, and air.
The change in leadership could be seen as a sign of Russian weakness, according to a military strategy expert.
Russia has lost several of its most senior commanders in Ukraine.
They brought in a well-known bombardier who reverted from the failed strategy of the blitzkrieg, which was intended to happen, and they went back to terrorizing people.
The Ukrainian leadership and western experts think that Russia will launch a new offensive in eastern Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Friday that a conflict could result in the biggest war in centuries.
Zelenskyy told the German newspaper that there would be intense fighting in the coming days.
It could be a big war like the world has not seen in hundreds of years, he said.
The Ukrainian president said they would defend their country until the end.
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