Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has appointed Andriy Gnatov as the new chief of the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, a move that comes as the country seeks to restructure and strengthen its military amid the ongoing conflict in Russia's Kursk region and mounting pressure in Donetsk.
Mr Gnatov replaces Anatoly Barkhilevich, who has held the position since February 2024. The appointment was announced by the General Staff via its Telegram channel on Sunday.
“We are consistently transforming the Armed Forces of Ukraine with the aim of increasing their combat readiness,” said Defense Minister Rustem Umerov.
Mr. Bargilevich will now serve as the acting inspector general of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry. Mr. Umerov stressed that Mr. Bargilevich “will remain part of the team,” monitoring military standards and strengthening discipline in the army.
Oleksandr Syrsky continues to hold the post of Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Since Russia launched a full-scale invasion in 2022, Mr Zelensky has made regular personnel changes in the Ukrainian government and military structures.
The changes come amid ongoing fighting in Russia's Kursk region, where Ukrainian forces were involved in eight combat clashes on Sunday, according to Ukraine's General Staff.
Last August, the Ukrainian army surprised Russia by crossing the border and seizing some 1,300 square kilometers (500 square miles) of territory, but Ukrainian forces are now retreating, effectively losing a valuable bargaining chip as a cease-fire with Russia gathers momentum.
On Friday, Russia captured Sudzha, the largest city in the Kursk region, which was previously under Ukrainian control.
Ukraine also faces growing pressure in the eastern Donetsk region, where Russian troops have been advancing for months.
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
