Putin appoints general ‘with record of brutality’ to lead army against Ukraine

President Vladimir Putin, left, has appointed General Alexander Dvornikov to lead the Russian army in the Ukraine (Alexei Nikolsky/Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)

After its striking post-invasion setbacks, Russia has appointed a new Ukraine war commander, a US official said on Sunday.

Russia has turned to General Alexander Dvornikov, 60, one of Russia’s most experienced military officers and — according to US officials — a general with a record of brutality against civilians in Syria and other war theatres.