Russian General Ihor Romanenko was the first to respond to the alleged death of Chief of Staff Valeri Gerasimov (68). In an interview with the Ukrainian radio station ‘Radio NV’, Romanenko denied the rumors. At the same time, the Russian emphasized that even if Gerasimov were really dead, that would not change Russian policy. “The large-scale war is being carried out both with the current Putin and without him and also without individual representatives of the military leadership.”
A few days ago, rumors began to circulate about Valery Gerasimov, the Chief of the General Staff and the leader of the Russian invasion. According to various sources, the 68-year-old top general was killed in a Ukrainian attack on the Crimean peninsula.
Neither Russian nor Ukrainian authorities have confirmed the information for now. But if Gerasimov is really dead, it could be one of Vladimir Putin’s heaviest losses. After all, the chief of staff is considered the right-hand man of the Russian president.
LOOK. Who is Valeri Gerasimov, the leader of the Russian invasion of Ukraine?
Nonsense
There have been few reactions from Russia to Gerasimov’s alleged death for the time being. But General Ihor Romanenko, former deputy chief of the general staff, already believes that the rumors are complete nonsense. “It is not worth living with the idea that manna from heaven will fall on Ukraine and the military and political leaders of the Russian Federation will simply die,” he said on ‘Radio NV’.
“Several foreign sources claim that Gerasimov is in poor health and abuses alcohol, just as many other politicians and military personnel in Russia are said to do,” Romanenko continued.
“Situation will not change”
The general further underlined that even if Gerasimov were really dead, it would not change the situation between Russia and Ukraine. “Thanks to Putin’s three-decade rule, a collective Putin has been formed, which will carry out the tasks of this large-scale war in any case. This happens both with the current Putin and without him and also without individual representatives of the military leadership.”
According to Romanenko, the war promises to be long and difficult. “It’s more of a marathon than a sprint,” he said finally.
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