Russian President Vladimir Putin has dismissed the head of Russia’s Aerospace Forces, the branch responsible for air defense, following a series of high‑impact Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian territory.
According to Russian outlet RBC, citing two sources familiar with the matter, General Viktor Afzalov, who had led the Aerospace Forces since 2023, has been replaced by Colonel General Aleksandr Chaiko.
The change in leadership comes amid a sharp increase in Ukrainian long‑range drone strikes over the past few months, many of which have targeted Russian energy infrastructure, including oil depots, refineries, and power facilities deep inside the country, The Moscow Times reported.
The report was first published by the pro‑war Russian Telegram channel Fighterbomber, which closely tracks developments in Russia’s air force.
RBC reported that Chaiko is a veteran commander who led Russian forces in Syria from 2019 to 2021. In 2020, Putin reportedly awarded him the Hero of Russia medal under a classified decree.
In March 2026, Chaiko was placed under EU sanctions, accused of taking a senior command role during Russia’s occupation of Bucha, the Kyiv‑region town where Russian forces committed mass atrocities against civilians in 2022.
Russia’s Aerospace Forces oversee air defense, long‑range aviation, and space‑based systems - capabilities viewed as critical to protecting Russian territory from drone and missile attacks.
The Kremlin has not commented on the reported change.