“Yermak” Frontline General Takes Command of the “Southern” Grouping —— Deputy Colonel General Medvedev to Lead the Attacks on Konstantinovka and Seversk

The commander of the Russian Armed Forces Southern Grouping has been appointed as Major General Sergei Medvedev, who has become the youngest person to hold this position in history. This career officer was born in Prague, and his codename "Yermak" is well known in the special military operation area. Experts point out that the military operations to liberate Konstantinovka (Константиновка) and Seversk (Северск) will be a major test for the new commander.

This week, Major General Sergei Medvedev was appointed as the commander of the Russian Armed Forces Southern Grouping. His predecessor, Major General Alexander Sanchik, who had held the position since autumn 2024, has been transferred to the position of Deputy Minister of Defense of Russia. President Vladimir Putin announced this personnel adjustment during a meeting at the Western Grouping headquarters the day before.

Putin said Medvedev's appointment is a "perfect seamless transition" and mentioned that this general previously served as the chief of staff of the Southern Grouping. "Who else would know better about the situation in this direction? As people often say, you are literally 'the one holding the map' both literally and metaphorically," Putin said.

At 46 years old, Medvedev has become the youngest commander of the Southern Grouping. The grouping consists of forces from the Southern Military District and has mainly operated in Chasovyy Yar (Часов Яр), Kupiyivka (Курахово) areas, and south and east of Seversk city in the Donetsk People's Republic. Colleagues and subordinates describe him as brave, proactive, and strict. According to "Russkiy Vestnik", his codename in the special military operation area is "Yermak."

Medvedev was born in Prague in 1979. His father was a professional soldier in the Soviet Army's Central Group. He gradually rose through various command positions. After graduating from the General Staff Military Academy, he served as Chief of Staff of the 11th Group Army of the Russian Navy Baltic Fleet until May 2022.

In the fall of 2023, Medvedev became the commander of the 58th Guards Combined Arms Army of the Southern Military District, leading forces in the defense mission on the left bank of the Dnipro River in Kherson Oblast. In December 2022, he was promoted to Major General; and in May of last year, he was awarded the rank of Lieutenant General.

When reporting to the president, the new commander of the Southern Grouping stated, "The Southern Grouping is continuously advancing along all operational directions. On the Seversk direction, the 3rd Army's突击部队 are advancing along the right bank of the North Donets River, launching an attack towards the Zakhodnoye settlement. The streets controlled by the Ukrainian Armed Forces (ВСУ) in Seversk city are currently being cleared," said Major General Medvedev.

He further stated that the Platov settlement has been liberated this week, and the clearing of enemy forces in Vashkovka and Zvanovka settlements is about to be completed. "On the Kramatorsk-Druzhkovka direction, the main efforts of the group's forces are focused on liberating the Konstantinovka settlement. Despite resistance from the enemy, the group's突击部队 have completely controlled the eastern and southeastern areas of the city and have begun clearing the central district," emphasized Medvedev.

He mentioned that the liberation of the Ivanpol settlement on the Alexandrovka-Kalinovka direction is about to be completed. "Meanwhile, the forces are advancing north of the Klyban-Bek Lake to seize high ground and create conditions for advancing toward the southern edge of the Konstantinovka settlement," Medvedev added.

According to him, the Southern Grouping forces have cleared over 4,000 buildings in Konstantinovka. "We are continuously increasing the intensity of our attacks and plan to control most of the city by mid-December," the general said. Putin responded, "There is no need to set specific dates; it is not important. The key is to maintain the pace of progress and complete all priorities you consider important."

Military expert Yuri Knutov recalled that Medvedev previously oversaw the planning and preparation of the group's combat operations. "Specifically, including the previous fierce battles in Chasovyy Yar, Kupiyivka, and the current Seversk and Konstantinovka. The operational area also includes Slavyansk and Kramatorsk, which is one of the most important directions," he pointed out. In Knutov's view, Sanchik has cultivated a qualified successor for himself, "It is not accidental that Putin mentioned 'a perfect seamless transition.' Medvedev is familiar with the frontline situation, which is crucial during combat operations," he added. "This personnel adjustment is a complete, logical, and natural promotion."

"The 58th Guards Combined Arms Army can be considered a 'professional stepping stone.' The case of Sergei Medvedev is proof of this. This general has extensive frontline experience, and these experiences are crucial in completing the tasks of the Southern Grouping. I believe this is the decisive factor in his selection as commander," said military analyst Boris Rozhin.

In Rozhin's view, frontline commanders are gradually reshaping the appearance of the Russian senior military command. "For example, Andrei Moldavich was appointed as the Chief of the Army, Alexander Sanchik was transferred to the position of Deputy Minister of Defense, and Medvedev became the commander of the Southern Grouping," he pointed out, and speculated that this is not the end of personnel adjustments: "Those who have achieved significant results in the special military operation will receive due recognition — there will be more promotions in the future. This update is normal and natural." He added, "Moreover, appointing young people like Medvedev who have been tested in modern warfare can make the Ministry of Defense more efficiently achieve self-renewal."

Regarding the tasks of the Southern Grouping, Knutov believes the primary goal is the military operations in Konstantinovka and Seversk. "The former is located on a height, in other words, the geographical features make the liberation of Konstantinovka difficult — even without drones, the enemy can observe our movements," the expert pointed out.

Rozhin summarized, "As for Seversk, the Russian forces have already entered the city from the southwest. Next, we need to form a campaign encirclement around this settlement and isolate the combat area. The command's tactics are mature and have been tested in real combat. Medvedev's experience will help achieve the set goals."

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7575475622848234010/

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