Commander-in-Chief of the Aerospace Forces

The Commander of the Russian Aerospace Forces (Russian: Главнокомандующий Воздушно-космическими силами, romanizedGlavnokomándujuščij vozdúšno-kosmíčeskij sílami) is the chief commanding authority of the Russian Aerospace Forces. The position was created in 2015, when the Russian Air Force, Russian Air and Missille Defense Forces and Russian Space Forces where placed under a unified command.[1] He is appointed by the President of Russia. The current commander is Colonel general Viktor Afzalov.[2]

Commander of the Russian Aerospace Forces
Главнокомандующий Воздушно-космическими силами (Russian)
Flag of the Commander of the Russian Aerospace Forces
since 22 August 2023
Russian Aerospace Forces
Member ofGeneral Staff of the Armed Forces
Reports toChief of the General Staff
AppointerPresident of Russia
Formation1 August 2015
First holderViktor Bondarev
DeputyCommander-in-Chief of the Russian Air Force
WebsiteOfficial website

List of Commanders

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No. Portrait Name
(born–died)
Term of office Ref.
Took office Left office Time in office
1Bondarev, ViktorColonel general
Viktor Bondarev
(born 1959)
1 August 201526 September 20172 years, 56 days[3][4]
Kurachenko, PavelLieutenant general
Pavel Kurachenko
(born 1961)
Acting
26 September 201722 November 201757 days[5]
2Surovikin, SergeyArmy general
Sergey Surovikin
(born 1966)
22 November 201722 August 20235 years, 273 days[6][4]
  Colonel general
Viktor Afzalov
(born 1968)
22 August 2023 20 October 2023 59 days [7]
3 20 October 2023 Incumbent 1 year, 61 days [8]

References

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  1. ^ Russia creates new Aerospace Force service branch Archived 2015-12-27 at the Wayback Machine, janes.com, 4 August 2015
  2. ^ "Генерал-полковника Афзалова назначили главкомом ВКС, сообщил источник" [Colonel-General Afzalov has been appointed commander-in-chief of the Aerospace Forces, a source said]. ria.ru (in Russian). RIA Novosti. 21 October 2023. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  3. ^ "Официальное опубликование правовых актов в электронном виде". pravo.gov.ru. Retrieved 7 November 2015.
  4. ^ a b Создатель военной полиции генерал Суровикин возглавит ВКС России Rossiyskaya Gazeta, 21 September 2017.
  5. ^ "Источник: врио главкома ВКС назначен генерал-лейтенант Павел Кураченко" (in Russian). TACC. 25 September 2017. Retrieved 25 June 2019.
  6. ^ Источники сообщили о смене командующего ВКС России RIA Novosti, 21 September 2017.
  7. ^ Andrew Osborn (23 August 2023). "Russia names new air force chief after mutiny-related disappearance of 'General Armageddon'". Reuters.
  8. ^ Jones, Gareth (27 October 2023). "Colonel-General Afzalov confirmed as chief of Russian aerospace forces - defence ministry". Reuters.