Who is Gierasimov - General who started the War Aleksander Olech 09.09.2025 10:10 DrukujPDFPhoto. Valery Gierasimov, Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, is one of the central figures of Moscow’s war machine. For Putin, Gierasimov is a useful but replaceable instrument. The extension of his service reflects the president’s desire for stability within the chain of command at a time when the war has drained political and military resources. He is a product of the Soviet military system – disciplined, discreet, more of a staff officer than a battlefield commander.