Russia's appointment of a new Ukraine war commander shows how poor its tactics have been so far, UK intelligence says

• Russia has appointed General Alexander Dvornikov as the new leader of its war in Ukraine.
• UK intelligence said this showed Russia was so far unable to "cohere and coordinate" its strategy.

Russia decision to appoint a new commander of its invasion of Ukraine shows how poor its performance and tactics have been in the war so far, UK intelligence said.

The UK's Ministry of Defence said in an intelligence briefing on Wednesday: "Russia's appointment of Army General Alexander Dvornikov as commander of the war in Ukraine represents an attempt to centralize command and control."

"An inability to cohere and coordinate military activity has hampered Russia's invasion to date," it said.

Dvornikov previously commanded several regiments in Russia's military, and he was the the first commander of the Russian Armed Forces in Syria, where he earned the nickname "The Butcher of Syria," for the brutal nature of his campaigning there, per an NBC report.

The UK Ministry of Defence added that Dvornikov has "commanded Russia's Southern Military District bordering Ukraine's Donbas region" since 2016.

It also credited Ukrainian opposition with frustrating Russia's aims, and said that this resistance was a factor in Dvornikov's appointment.

"Dvornikov's selection further demonstrates how determined Ukrainian resistance and ineffective pre-war planning have forced Russia to reassess its operations."

Russia is changing its focus in its invasion as its efforts stall across Ukraine, and is now focusing on the separatist eastern Donbas region, the UK briefing noted.

Russia has lost many senior commanders in its invasion. As many as 18 generals and other senior military figures have been killed in fighting so far, Insider reported earlier in April.