Russian general nicknamed “the Butcher” for incompetent leadership declared Hero of Russia

The head of Russia's Republic of Dagestan announced on June 10 that Lieutenant General Sukhrab Akhmedov was awarded the title Hero of Russia. Lt. Gen. Akhmedov, a native of the republic, is known for commanding units that suffered heavy — and largely avoidable — losses over the course of Russia’s full-scale war in Ukraine.

In 2023, Akhmedov was promoted twice: to major general in February and to lieutenant general in December. Dagestan head Sergey Melnikov noted that Akhmedov had “distinguished himself particularly on the Kursk front.”

In November 2022, marines from the 155th Brigade of Russia's Pacific Fleet, which was under Akhmedov’s command at the time, complained to the governor of Primorsky Krai about heavy losses suffered near Pavlivka, close to Vuhledar in Ukraine’s Donetsk Region. They claimed that, due to the incompetent actions of the command, the unit had lost 300 men in just four days of offensive operations.

In June 2023, Akhmedov’s name was mentioned by pro-war bloggers in connection with an incident near Kreminna, where Russian soldiers were left standing on a parade ground for two hours awaiting their commander — and came under fire from a HIMARS strike. According to Ukrainian OSINT groups, the strike targeted the 144th Motor Rifle Division of the 20th Army, commanded by Akhmedov. Approximately 100 soldiers were killed.

At the end of March 2024, Russian serviceman Svyatoslav Golikov voiced frustration over the situation on the Lyman section of the front near Terny, claiming that Russia's 20th Army — still under Akhmedov’s command — was being “slaughtered.” Golikov referred to Akhmedov as “the Butcher,” calling for him to be stripped of his military rank and sent to serve in an assault unit.

In May 2024, Akhmedov was dismissed from his post as commander of the 20th Army. No official explanation was given for his removal, but it came amid a sweeping reshuffle in the Ministry of Defense following the appointment of Andrei Belousov as defense minister.

Despite the controversial episodes in Akhmedov’s military career, the head of Dagestan emphasized that the republic remains a “land of true warriors” and that it is among the regions that have produced the highest number of Heroes of Russia since the start of the “special military operation.”

Melikov’s post included the phrase, seemingly written without irony: “Sukhrab, congratulations on the honorary title of Hero of Russia! I am confident you will carry it with the same dignity with which you defend our Motherland!”