Where was the commander in chief of the Russian army?

Gerasimov usually takes part in the Victory Day parade on May 9 each year, along with Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu. This year, only the latter was present at the troop examination. Gerasimov was also absent from the public exhibition, and he was also absent from Russian President Vladimir Putin when laying wreaths for the fallen in World War II.

Gerasimov’s absence fueled speculation that he was wounded a decade ago in a Ukrainian artillery attack on a Russian command post near Izyum in the occupied territories of Ukraine. A number of high-ranking officers were killed and several others were wounded.

According to unconfirmed reports, Gerasimov was also personally present on the battlefield – which is very unusual – He was wounded in the bombing† He is said to have been hit by shrapnel in the leg and subsequently taken to a Russian hospital.

The US Department of Defense assumes that Gerasimov was in command position, but cannot say for sure whether he was still there during the bombing. It is said that the chief of staff of the Russian army spent a few days at the front in Donbass for an inspection tour, and the Ukrainian army probably learned about this thanks to espionage. He has not heard about Gerasimov since the events.