Russian President Vladimir Putin again visited one of the command posts of the West Group of Russian forces, together with the Chief of the General Staff Gen. Vladimir Gerasimov, and commanders of both the South Group and West Group of forces deployed in the special military operation in Ukraine. He received a briefing from them on the advances made on each of the sectors by the commanders themselves, including the capture of the strategic city of Kupyansk. The Commander of the South Group, Alexander Sanchik, has been promoted to Deputy Defense Minister as of Nov. 20. Putin also congratulated his successor, former Chief of Staff of the South Group, Sergei Medvedev, on his new command position.
In their exchange, Putin asked Gerasimov: “Valery Vasilyevich [Gerasimov], I would also ask you to report whether it is possible to create conditions, as I requested, so that the servicemen of the Ukrainian armed forces have the opportunity to lay down their arms and surrender, given the situation in which they find themselves.”
