Colonel General Aleksandr Chayko, a Hero of Russia, has been appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS).

Axar.az reports that the Russian Defense Ministry made the announcement.

The ministry said Russian President Vladimir Putin signed the decree appointing Chayko to the post in May 2026.

Chayko, 55, has held a number of senior military positions during his career, including commander of the Eastern Military District and deputy chief of the Russian General Staff. He also commanded Russian forces in Syria during multiple deployments between 2019 and 2025.

He was awarded the title Hero of Russia in 2020 and has received several state honors for military service.