MOSCOW, October 8. /TASS/. Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu appointed Army General Sergey Surovikin to command the joint group of forces involved in a special military operation in Ukraine, Defense Ministry Spokesman Lieutenant General Igor Konashekov told reporters on Saturday.

"Army General Sergey Surovikin has been appointed to command the joint group of forces in the area of the special military operation in Ukraine based on the Russian defense minister’s decision," he said.

Surovikin earlier served as Commander of Russia’s Eastern Military District and led Russian troops in Syria.