Vladimir Putin has replaced the commander of Russia's ground forces, according to a decree published on the Kremlin's website.
Army General Oleg Salyukov, 69, was appointed deputy secretary of the Security Council, the Kremlin's top consultative body, chaired by Russian President himself.
The council manages and integrates national security policy, but does not have direct authority over Russia's security agencies and ministries.
The secretary of the Security Council is former defence minister Sergei Shoigu.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has replaced the commander of Russia's ground forces, according to a decree published on the Kremlin's website
Getty
For the past 11 years, Salyukov has led the large Victory Day parades in Moscow's Red Square, which mark the anniversary of Germany's surrender at the end of World War Two.
From January 2023, Salyukov was deputy to Valery Gerasimov, Russia's Chief of the General Staff, who was appointed by Putin as the commander in charge to lead Russia's war in Ukraine.
The UK, the EU, Canada and several other countries have imposed sanctions on Salyukov.
The sanctions regime is aimed at encouraging Russia to cease actions destabilising Ukraine or undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty or independence of Ukraine, according to the government.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Army General Oleg Salyukov was appointed deputy secretary of the Security Council, the Kremlin's top consultative body, chaired by Putin himself
Getty
The conflict, which began February 24, 2022, when Russia invaded Ukraine, is still ongoing, with peace talks underway in Istanbul.
This latest move from the Kremlin comes as the number of Russian officers killed in the war in Ukraine has surpassed 5,000.
The names of 106,745 Russian soldiers killed have been identified since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by the BBC, although they warn that the actual number is much higher.
US President Donald Trump has stated that he believes "nothing's going to happen until Putin and I get together".
Salyukov has led the large Victory Day parades in Moscow's Red Square
Getty
Keir Starmer has also accused Vladimir Putin of "dragging his heels" after peace talks have failed to materialise.
The Prime Minister said: "We saw yesterday and overnight is yet more evidence that Putin is not serious about peace".
Following a trip to the Ukrainian capital by the Prime Minister and other European leaders, Zelensky's allies gave Russia an ultimatum to "Accept a 30-day ceasefire or else".
They threatened further sanctions for Moscow and more military aid for Kyiv if a pause in fighting wasn’t agreed.
