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Valery Gerasimov
Chief of the General Staff, Russian Armed Forces
Top Russian military commander
Overview
General of the Army Valery Vasilyevich Gerasimov has served as Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces since 2012. He is the author of the "Gerasimov Doctrine" on hybrid warfare and was placed in direct command of Russian forces in Ukraine in January 2023. He has been indicted by the ICC for war crimes.
Key Affiliations
Controversies & Concerns
Placed in overall command of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in January 2023 following battlefield setbacks
Developer of the "Gerasimov Doctrine" which outlined Russias hybrid warfare strategy combining military, cyber, information, and political operations
ICC issued arrest warrant for Gerasimov in June 2024 for directing attacks on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure constituting war crimes
Oversaw Russian military operations that included documented targeting of hospitals, schools, and residential areas in Ukraine
Sanctioned by EU, US, UK, and other nations for role in the invasion of Ukraine
Related Investigations (0)
Criminal Charges & Violations
1 documented violations
ICC Rome Statute Art. 8War crimes; directing attacks against civilian objects and infrastructure(War Crimes)
Known Associates & Connections
Vladimir Putin
President and Commander-in-Chief
Sergei Shoigu
Former Defense Minister, direct superior until 2024
Sources & Documentation
1 documented sources from official records, investigations, and reports
Personal Information
Education
- •Kazan Higher Tank Command School
- •Military Academy of the General Staff
Key Timeline
2012-11-09
Appointed Chief of the General Staff
2013-02-01
Published article outlining hybrid warfare strategy ("Gerasimov Doctrine")
2022-02-24
Oversaw launch of full-scale invasion of Ukraine
2023-01-11
Named overall commander of Russian forces in Ukraine
2024-06-25
ICC issues arrest warrant for war crimes in Ukraine