Former Syria commander appointed head of Russia’s aerospace forces
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – A former commander of Russian troops in Syria was appointed head of Russia’s aerospace forces, the Russian Defense Ministry announced on Wednesday.
In a statement, the ministry said Lieutenant-General Alexander Chaiko was appointed to the position in May by a decree issued by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Chaiko previously served as deputy head of the General Staff of the Russian armed forces. The ministry described him as an experienced commander with a long military career that included leading Russian forces in Syria for nearly a year.
Russia deployed forces to Syria in 2015 at the request of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, intervening in support of Damascus during the Syrian conflict.
The ministry said Chaiko commanded the Russian military grouping in Syria during part of that deployment. Assad, who was removed from power in December 2024, later received asylum in Russia.
Before taking charge of the aerospace forces, Chaiko also led Russian troops in the country’s eastern military district, one of the Russian military’s key regional commands.
The appointment comes as Russia continues to maintain military involvement in Syria while reorganizing parts of its armed forces leadership.