The new general tasked with leading Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine has been dubbed the “butcher of Syria” – raising concerns that the war, which has already claimed tens of thousands of lives, will only get more savage.
General Alexander Dvornikov, 60, is one of the country’s most experienced – and notorious – military bosses, having led Russian forces in Syria over the past decade.
The UN says more than 350,000 people have been killed in the Syrian conflict, no thanks to Dvornikov, who ordered troops to demolish cities and drop barrel bombs that displaced millions.
Lieutenant Colonel Fares al-Bayoush, a defector in the Syrian army, told the Associated Press he expects a ruthless strategy from the general that will see Russian troops simultaneously fighting “rapid battles” for Ukraine.
“I expected him to apply the scorched earth policy used in Syria,” al-Bayoush said. “He has had very good experiences with this policy.
“This commander is a war criminal,” he added.
Retired Admiral James Stavridis told NBC News on Sunday that Dvornikov’s promotion to commander of the Russian armed forces is bad news for those hoping for a quick and peaceful end to the conflict.
General Alexander Dvornikov, known as the “Butcher of Syria,” was tapped to direct Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Erik Romanenko/TASS via ZUMA Press
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s appointment of Dvornikov shows “Putin’s intention to continue this conflict for months, if not years,” according to retired Admiral James Stavridis.via REUTERS
Dvornikov ordered troops to raze Syrian cities and drop barrel bombs that displaced millions. AFP via Getty Images
“The appointment of this new general shows Vladimir Putin’s intention to continue this conflict for months, if not years,” Stavridis said, calling the general the “butcher of Syria”.
“He’s the idiot summoned by Vladimir Putin to raze cities like Aleppo in Syria,” the retired admiral continued. “He has used terrorist means during this period, including collaborating with the Syrian Armed Forces, torture centers, systematic rape and nerve agents. He’s the worst of the worst.”
White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said Dvornikov’s new role does not erase “the fact that Russia has already suffered a strategic failure in Ukraine.”
Putin awarded Dvornikov the title of Hero of the Russian Federation, the country’s highest honorary title, for his work in Syria in 2016.AP/Efrem Lukatsky
“This general will be just another perpetrator of crimes and brutality against Ukrainian civilians,” Sullivan said. “And the United States, as I said, is determined to do whatever we can to support the Ukrainians when they oppose him and the forces he commands.”
Dvornikov joined the Russian army in 1982 and fought in the second war in Chechnya before his time in Syria. In 2016, Putin awarded him the title of Hero of the Russian Federation, the country’s highest honorary title, for his work in Syria.
With mail wires