Wednesday Russia's Ministry of Defense switched generals in Ukraine again. General Valery Gerasimov is now the top commander. He will replace General Sergei Surovikin, who was appointed head of the war last October. And Surovikin will become his deputy commander.

This is the third change, in less than a year of a theater-wide commander for Ukraine operations. Experts say the Russian military continues to struggle to coordinate its forces with the Wagner paramilitary unit. And make sure they are being used strategically and not operating at cross purposes.

Surokin’s demotion is a sign that Russian President Vladimir Putin may be experiencing an internal "power struggle," according to an assessment from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

It is also a demotion for General Gerasimov, who is currently serving as chief of the Russian General Staff. And is the nation's highest-ranking military officer. Gerasimov is credited with helping to engineer the February invasion.

Russian President Vladimir Putin made Army General Alexander Dvornikov top commander of the Ukraine war in April. Dvornikov was serving as the commander of Russia’s Southern Military District. He is known as the Butcher of Syria for his brutal war on Syrian civilians.

He had little success in capturing and holding ground in Ukraine. And was replaced in October after Russian forces were pushed out of the annexed areas.

Russia hopes new top Commander succeeds

Surovikin, who oversaw Russia's air war in Syria in 2015, has waged a campaign that included the deliberate targeting of infrastructure, hospitals and schools. He was known as "Gen. Armageddon." 

While he was in charge Russian forces retreated last November from the city of Kherson. This was the only regional capital that Russia has been able to capture since the war began.

At least 11 high ranking Russian officers have lost their lives so far in the so-called “special operation.” And it is estimated that there have been over 100,000 casualties, so far.

After 300 days of fighting in Ukraine, Moscow's military has very little to show for its efforts. 

The only bright spot seems to be the Wagner mercenary group led by Yevgeny Prigozhin. They gained ground in the city of Soledar. But Ukraine hit a Wagner operational meeting and estimates are that 100 mercenaries are dead.