Russia’s new general in Ukraine
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Russia has named General Aleksandr Dvornikov to oversee the war in Ukraine after its costly failures in the opening campaign
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1961: Aleksandr Dvornikov born in Ussuriysk, in Russian far-east

1982: Begins military career as platoon commander and rises steadily through ranks

1999-2000: Takes part in battle of Grozny during second war in Chechnya, in which thousands of civilians died

2015: Placed in charge of Russian troops in Syria. Gains notoriety for ordering bombings of Aleppo which killed thousands of people including 200 children. Also helps develop Russia’s strategy for targeting civilian infrastructure such as bakeries and hospitals

2016: Awarded Hero of Russian Federation medal – one of nation’s highest awards – by President Vladimir Putin. Also appointed commander of Russia’s Southern Military District

Jun 2020: Promoted to rank of army general

Apr 2022: Placed in overall command of Russia’s military operations in Ukraine. News of his appointment comes as missile strike on Kramatorsk rail station in eastern Ukraine kills dozens of people trying to flee war – Russia denies responsibility for attack

Remains of rocket with Russian lettering after Kramatorsk attack

Tactics: Dvornikov expected to use “scorched earth” policy pursued in Syria, where intense bombardment of cities and towns left many people dead and caused widespread destruction
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Sources: AP, UPI Pictures: Getty Images, Wikimedia Commons © GRAPHIC NEWS