PUTIN’S NEW PICK – “MEAT GRINDER” General Rises

Daily Report May 22,2025

Putin just appointed a bloodthirsty tactician who openly declared Russia’s war on Ukraine is “only the beginning” to command his ground forces.

At a Glance

Colonel General Andrei Mordvichev has been appointed as the new commander of Russia’s ground forces, replacing General Oleg Salyukov
Mordvichev is infamous for leading brutal “meat grinder” infantry assaults in Ukraine’s Mariupol and Avdiivka
The general previously stated Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is “only the beginning” and that the war “will not stop here”
Mordvichev is under multiple European sanctions and was falsely reported killed by Ukraine in 2022
Military analysts believe his appointment signals Russia’s intent to institutionalize attritional warfare tactics

Putin’s “Meat Grinder” General Takes Command

Just when you thought Russia’s military leadership couldn’t get more concerning, Putin goes and proves us wrong. The Russian president has appointed Colonel General Andrei Mordvichev as the new commander-in-chief of Russia’s ground forces, replacing the outgoing General Oleg Salyukov. If you’re wondering what qualifications landed Mordvichev this prestigious position, it appears to be his enthusiasm for throwing wave after wave of Russian soldiers into deadly combat with little regard for casualties. The Institute for the Study of War wasn’t mincing words when they suggested Mordvichev’s appointment indicates the Kremlin’s determination to institutionalize these grinding, highly attritional tactics.

Watch coverage here.

Mordvichev isn’t just another faceless Russian general. He’s earned his stripes overseeing some of the most horrific battles in Ukraine, particularly the siege of Mariupol in 2022 and the capture of Avdiivka earlier this year. Both operations became synonymous with Russia’s willingness to accept astronomical casualty rates to achieve objectives. While our military leadership focuses on preserving American lives through superior training and technology, Mordvichev seems to operate on the principle that Russian soldiers are an expendable resource to be depleted at will. It’s a reminder of how little value authoritarian regimes place on human life.

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Ominous Warnings and False Reports

Perhaps most disturbing are Mordvichev’s own words about Russia’s broader intentions. He’s openly stated that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is “only the beginning” and that the war “will not stop here.” Remember when the Biden administration kept insisting Putin just wanted a little piece of Ukraine and wouldn’t dare go further? Mordvichev’s statements ought to be setting off alarm bells across Europe and within our own State Department. This isn’t just battlefield bluster; it’s a window into Russia’s expansionist ambitions that our intelligence community and military planners should be taking very seriously.

In a twist that reads like something out of a spy novel, Ukraine actually reported Mordvichev killed in an airstrike back in 2022. That report turned out to be premature when the general later surfaced in a meeting with Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov. The incident highlights the fog of war but also raises questions about Ukraine’s intelligence capabilities and information warfare tactics. While we’re sending billions in aid to Ukraine, perhaps we should insist on better verification protocols for their battlefield claims. After all, it’s hard to form sound strategy when we can’t even confirm whether enemy commanders are alive or dead.

European Sanctions and Broader Implications

Mordvichev isn’t just controversial in military circles—he’s currently under multiple European sanctions for his role in Russia’s war crimes. Meanwhile, the outgoing commander, General Salyukov, is being shifted to a senior post on the Russian Security Council as he approaches mandatory retirement age. The timing of this leadership shuffle is particularly interesting, coinciding with peace talks in Istanbul that Putin conspicuously avoided attending. When you’re appointing commanders who view the current war as “just the beginning,” peace talks start to look more like a tactical pause than a genuine diplomatic effort.

What does all this mean for American interests? First, it signals that Russia is doubling down on its brutal warfare tactics despite enormous casualties. Second, it suggests Putin is preparing for a longer, more expansive conflict than what Western leaders have been willing to acknowledge. While our European allies debate incremental sanctions and half-measures, Russia is systematically installing leadership that embraces the most aggressive posture possible. The sooner our administration recognizes we’re dealing with an adversary that’s playing a much longer, more dangerous game than we’ve admitted, the better positioned we’ll be to protect our interests and allies. Mordvichev’s appointment isn’t just a personnel change—it’s a statement of intent.