Ukrainian President Appoints New Chief of Armed Forces

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has appointed Colonel-General Oleksandr Syrskyi as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, replacing Valeriy Zaluzhnyi. 

The President of Ukraine announced this in his evening video address. 

"Today I met with Commander-in-Chief Valeriy Zaluzhnyi. It was one of hundreds of conversations we had during this war. Almost two years of constant analysis of each situation. We discussed the frontline. Threats, directions, all the challenges. (...)

I am grateful to General Zaluzhny for two years of defence. I am grateful for every victory we have achieved together and thanks to all Ukrainian soldiers who are heroically enduring this war.

Today we had a frank discussion about what needs to change in the army. Urgent changes. I have offered General Zaluzhnyi to continue to be part of the team of the Ukrainian state. I would be grateful for his consent.

Starting today, a new management team takes over the leadership of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. 

I want our soldiers in Robotyn or Avdiivka, the General Staff and the Chief of Staff to have the same vision of the war. I have had dozens of conversations with commanders of various levels. In particular, today I spoke to Brigadier Generals Andriy Hnatov, Mykhailo Drapaty, Ihor Skybyuk and Colonels Pavlo Palisa and Vadym Sukharevskyi.

All of them are being considered for senior positions in the army and will serve under the leadership of Ukraine's most experienced commander. He has a successful record of defence, having led the Kyiv defence operation. He also has successful experience in offensive operations - the Kharkiv liberation operation.

I have appointed Colonel-General Syrsky as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Today I spoke with Generals Moysiuk and Zabrodskyi. Their experience is in the service of the state.

The year 2024 can be successful for Ukraine only if there are effective changes in the basis of our defence, which is the Armed Forces of Ukraine," Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed.