Russia’s Ground Forces get new leader: Key facts about Andrei Mordvichev

Contents

1. Biography and military career

2. War crimes in Ukraine

3. Assessment as a general

Espreso breaks down what’s known about Russian General Andrei Mordvichev—and what it could mean for the Russian-Ukrainian war.

Biography and military career

Andrei Mordvichev was born on January 14, 1976, in Pavlodar, Kazakh SSR (now Kazakhstan). In 1997, he graduated from the Novosibirsk Higher Military Command School, and in 2006, he completed the Military Academy of the Russian Federation’s Armed Forces.

Before the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, his career had not stood out for any remarkable achievements, but with the start of the war, he quickly gained higher ranks and positions.

Mordvichev began his career in the Russian army after graduating from military school. In 2011, as a colonel, he was appointed commander of the 4th Separate Tank Brigade. In 2017, as a major general, he headed the South Sakhalin garrison and oversaw the Victory Day parade in Sakhalin as the commander of the 68th Army Corps. In 2018, Mordvichev was the first deputy commander and chief of staff of the 41st Combined Arms Army of the Central Military District, and in 2021, he led the parade in Volgograd as the chief of staff of the 8th Guards Combined Arms Army.

At the beginning of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Mordvichev, already holding the rank of lieutenant general, commanded units of the 8th Army of the Southern Military District, which participated in the assault on Mariupol and the storming of the Azovstal plant.

In March 2022, the Ukrainian General Staff hastily reported his death in an airstrike in Chornobaivka, but he later appeared in public, including at a meeting with the head of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, who is considered a close friend of the general.

In February 2023, Mordvichev was appointed commander of the Central Military District's forces, and in September of the same year, he was promoted to Colonel General. Under his command, Russian forces captured Avdiivka in February 2024, for which he was awarded the title of "Hero" of Russia.

In May 2025, Mordvichev replaced the 70-year-old "cabinet" General of the Army Oleg Salyukov as the commander of Russia's Ground Forces. This appointment reflects the Kremlin’s push to bring younger, loyal, and "battle-tested" generals into top positions — especially those celebrated as “heroes” of the so-called “special military operation.” 

War crimes in Ukraine

Andriy Mordvichev with Ramzan Kadyrov in Mariupol, photo: Russian media

Mordvichev is accused of numerous war crimes, primarily for his role in the capture of Mariupol in 2022.

According to the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), he gave the order to storm the city and the Azovstal plant, which led to massive destruction of civilian infrastructure and numerous casualties among the civilian population. According to the SBU and Human Rights Watch, under his command, Russian forces committed atrocities against Ukrainian soldiers and civilians, and blocked humanitarian aid during the siege. He has been charged with several counts under the Ukrainian Criminal Code, including violations of the laws and customs of war.

According to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, around 20,000 Ukrainians were killed during the siege and assault of Mariupol. The fierce resistance of Ukrainian forces in the city also led to significant Russian losses, reaching thousands of soldiers.

In addition, Mordvichev participated in the offensive on Avdiivka, where Russia irreparably lost about 20,000 soldiers, and another 30,000 were wounded. This was due to Mordvichev's favorite tactic — "meat assaults." This tactic involves exhausting the enemy with continuous infantry attacks while minimizing the consideration of one's own losses.

Interestingly, such high losses triggered criticism from some Russian pro-war bloggers, but official Moscow quickly rewarded Mordvichev as he delivered results. The general's uncompromising attitude shows that he is willing to execute orders at all costs, regardless of human life.

Additionally, Mordvichev has been under EU sanctions since June 2023 and under Ukrainian sanctions since November 2023.

Assessment as a general

Mordvichev is seen as a typical representative of the Russian military elite — carrying out orders without question. His rapid career progression, despite significant losses among personnel and civilians, indicates that the Kremlin values loyalty and a willingness to take brutal actions above all else. After the operation in Avdiivka, he was nicknamed the "Avdiivka butcher," but in Russia, he was awarded the Hero of Russia title and other honors.

Mordvichev is also one of the youngest Colonel Generals in the Russian army. He has established himself as a tough and effective military leader. He also shows some adaptability to modern warfare conditions, particularly in the use of drones, which distinguishes him from other older-generation Russian generals.

Popular Russian pro-war sources praise his tactical successes, particularly the capture of Mariupol and Avdiivka, as well as the improvement of the "meat assault" tactic. Mordvichev is best known for sending waves of infantry into battle without proper preparation or support. While this leads to massive casualties among his forces, it achieves visible progress on the map, which Moscow desires.

Analysts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) note that his appointment as the commander of Russian Ground Forces reflects the Kremlin's approval of Mordvichev's warfare tactics, despite their high human cost. However, his successes are directly tied to the vast resources of the Kremlin. As these resources, such as reserves, armored vehicles, and artillery, diminish, the effectiveness of Mordvichev's tactics will immediately decline. Therefore, he is considered a skilled executor but nothing more.

BBC reports an interesting insight from Russian military circles, suggesting that Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov may see Mordvichev as a competitor due to his visible successes on the frontlines (the occupation of Donetsk region progresses). As a result, Mordvichev reportedly had limited access to reserves in recent weeks. Accordingly, his appointment could be a formal promotion with no real influence on operational command. The Commander of Russian Ground Forces is partially responsible for administrative functions, such as organizing parades and managing military academies. On the other hand, the new commander is also in charge of organizing, managing, and developing Russia's Ground Forces, which could have implications in the future.

Mordvichev’s close ties with Ramzan Kadyrov may indicate his potential rise in the Russian military-political hierarchy. Although he remains a tool for higher officials, without signs of independent political maneuvering, if Putin decides to replace Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov, Mordvichev could likely be one of the candidates for the position.

In any case, Mordvichev is a product of a system that values loyalty and results. His statements, such as "Ukraine is just the beginning," and his agreement with propaganda narratives about potential attacks on other countries, demonstrate his commitment to the Kremlin’s ideology. Thus, he appears more as a cog in the system than a reformer capable of radically changing the Russian military machine.

In summary, General Andrei Mordvichev is seen as a symbol of the Russian military's harsh and often ineffective tactics. His approach to warfare leads to significant losses among personnel and does not provide strategic advantages. However, it still results in progress on the map, which Moscow demands, and for this, Mordvichev is rewarded with titles and new positions. He may potentially be the future replacement for Russia's Chief of General Staff.