General Shamanov Appointed as Commander of the Russian Airborne Forces

On May 26 Russian Lieutenant-General Vladimir Shamanov became the new commander of the airborne troops (VDV). The post had been vacant since early May, following Lieutenant-General Valeriy Yevtukhovich being discharged to the reserve. Shamanov was twice decorated as a "Hero of Russia" for his combat role in both Russian military campaigns in Chechnya, and was also a former governor of Ulyanovsk Oblast. In his most recent post as the chief of the main combat training directorate Shamanov emerged as a suitable candidate for promotion. Nonetheless, his appointment also marks a significant blow to the wider military reform agenda Shamanov has significant experience within the airborne troops, graduating from the Ryazan Airborne Troops School and serving as the chief of staff of the Novorossiysk 7th Division.
He was the chief of the combat training directorate in 2007.

He commanded the 58th Army which played a critical role in the war with Georgia in August 2008.