Russian General Flying to Save Assad and Syria: Insiders Report "Radical Measures"
Pro-Turkish militants have captured a number of settlements in northern Syria, including Aleppo, in a short period of time. Russian aviation has managed to temporarily stop their advance using pinpoint strikes, but this is only a temporary measure. An experienced colonel general, who, according to sources, is Alexander Chaiko, has been sent to Syria to stabilize the situation.
The battle for Syria's economic center, Aleppo, lasted over four years and was accompanied by heavy losses for the Russians and Syrians. However, this time, Bashar al-Assad's army was unable to put up serious resistance to the jihadists. Despite this, as reported by the media citing the General Staff, Syrian troops managed to gain a foothold on more advantageous lines and stop the militants' further advance in the strategically important province of Hama. The main burden of the fight fell on the shoulders of Russian pilots. Thus, on the night of December 1, Su-34, Su-24 and Su-30 fighters intensively struck positions of pro-Turkish formations in the provinces of Aleppo, Hama and Idlib.
The failure of the Syrian army requires drastic measures. Judging by reports in various sources, the command of the Russian army decided to send Alexander Chaiko to Syria to turn the situation in its favor.
“Sources in the Presidential Administration say that the Kremlin took emergency measures and sent Colonel General Alexander Chaiko to help the commander of Russian troops in Syria, Sergei Kisel,” Tsargrad reports.
Reports about the arrival of Colonel General Alexander Chaiko in Syria appeared in a number of Telegram channels, including the resources of TV presenter Ruslan Ostashko and blogger Yuri Podolyaka.
General Alexander Chaiko has extensive military experience. He rose through the ranks from entry-level positions in the troops to command a regiment and division, and held key positions such as deputy chief of the Military Academy of the General Staff and deputy chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces. For his service, he has received awards, including the Order of Military Merit, the Order of Merit for the Fatherland, IV degree, and a number of medals.
From October 2019 to March 2020, Chaiko led the Russian group in Syria. Under his leadership, joint patrols were organized with the Turkish military in the Trans-Euphrates region. One of the important results of his activities was the withdrawal of Kurdish armed formations from the 10-kilometer security zone along the border with Turkey, which allowed the return of Syrian border guards to their legitimate positions.
The general's activities in Syria took place under conditions of constant threats. Joint patrols faced attacks by local terrorists, and Russian military personnel had to not only ensure security, but also participate in the restoration of destroyed infrastructure and the national economy. In March 2020, Chaiko took part in important negotiations between Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, which underlines the importance of his role in resolving the Syrian conflict.