Russia Revamps Military Leadership with New Commander for North Forces Amid Ongoing Conflict

Russia has designated a new leader for its «North» military grouping, as announced by the Defense Ministry on Thursday, confirming previous speculation about a shift in leadership within this military unit, which is responsible for safeguarding border areas against Ukrainian incursions.

This announcement coincided with Defense Minister Andrei Belousov’s visit to the grouping, where the newly appointed commander, Colonel General Yevgeny Nikiforov, updated him on plans to enhance the units with advanced weaponry.

State media captured footage of Nikiforov alongside Belousov as military officers showcased drones and other technologies, followed by their attendance at a ceremony honoring outstanding service with medals.

The «North» grouping was established in early 2024 and mobilized following a surprise cross-border attack by Ukrainian forces in the Kursk region that August. Russian military commentators suggest that its overarching aim is to tie down Ukrainian forces in the Sumy and Kharkiv regions while positioning for a gradual advance toward Sumy city.

Nikiforov previously oversaw the Western Military District from January 2023 until it was disbanded in February 2024 and had a brief command of Russian troops in Syria in 2021. He succeeds Colonel General Alexander Lapin, who was reported by pro-war bloggers to have stepped down earlier this month due to health issues.

Lapin commanded the «Center» grouping during the Ukrainian army’s recapture of the Donetsk region city of Lyman in 2022 and faced significant criticism at that time from Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov and the late Wagner Group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin. He was subsequently appointed as chief of staff of Russia’s Ground Forces in 2023.