Ukraine has lately become the main target of the Southern Military District. Because of that, the new 8th Army was formed and the District’s presence on the territory of the illegally annexed Crimean peninsula was expanded. Since mid-Oct 2021, Russian military forces have started an unprecedented military build-up on or near the Ukrainian border and within Ukraine’s occupied Crimea region. In this respect, many observers and policymakers have expressed concerns about a possible new Russian invasion of Ukraine or other aggressive actions. Troops from the Southern Military District have conducted military drills in areas encircling Ukraine and have moved artillery and battalion tactical groups into the Crimean peninsula. The Southern Military District also supervised military exercises of the armed forces of the separatist “republics”. After the decision of the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin to recognise the so-called “Donetsk People’s Republic” and “Luhansk People’s Republic”, soldiers of the Southern Military District entered the territory of these two self- proclaimed republics. On 24 Feb 2022, Russia launched a full-scale military invasion of Ukraine.
Rustam Muradov is Colonel General and Commander of the Eastern Military District since 7 Oct 2022. Previously, he was the deputy commander of the Southern Military District, which has been involved in military actions against Ukraine. In Jul 2022 he was named commander of Russia’s group of forces “Vostok” operating in Ukraine.
Therefore, Rustam Muradov is responsible for actively supporting or implementing actions or policies which undermine or threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine, as well as stability and security in Ukraine.