Russia has reportedly appointed Gen. Alexander Dvornikov to take over the nation's operations in Ukraine. Some military officials and analysts have warned the war could enter a new brutal stretch with the appointment.
Retired U.S. Adm. James Stavridis shared with "NBC Nightly News" on Sunday that the decision from Russian President Vladimir Putin to bring on Dvornikov now streamlines the chain of command as he replaces three previous commanders.
The appointment of Dvornikov over the Ukrainian operations was confirmed to NBC News by a U.S. official and a Western official.
Dvornikov oversaw troops for Russia in Syria and has a history of targeting civilians, leaving officials worried that the invasion of Ukraine could become worse as he is expected to renew the assault in Ukraine's Donbas region.
After his time spent in Syria, where he demonstrated that he did not care for the loss of innocent life, Dvornikov earned the nickname the "Butcher of Syria," according to Stavridis.
U.S. officials have said the decision to bring Dvornikov on board is an acknowledgment of the nation's failure to take over Ukraine quickly in what is reaching a two-month-long invasion.
"The appointment of this new general indicates Vladimir Putin's intent to continue this conflict for months, if not years," Stavridis said.
Intelligence officials have noted that Putin wanted his invasion in February to be as quick and easy as possible, but it has not been anything close.
"He is the goon called in by Vladimir Putin to flatten cities like Aleppo in Syria," Stavridis said. "He has used tools of terrorism throughout that period, including working with the Syrian forces, torture centers, systematic rape, nerve agents. He is the worst of the worst."
Russia has already been in the spotlight for targeting civilians attempting to flee cities, despite its claims that it has not.
Most recently, the Ukrainian city of Bucha was caught in the line of fire, with reports saying that over 320 civilians have been killed in what is being called the Bucha Massacre.
Stavridis said that bringing on Dvornikov is only an effort to break the spirit and willpower of the Ukrainian people that have fought against the more superior Russian force for over a month now.
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