Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has dismissed the country's top military commander, Valery Zarzhiny.
This follows speculation about a rift between the president and General Zarzhini, who has led Ukraine's war effort since the conflict began.
Dismissal is formally decided by presidential decree.
The move marks the biggest change in Ukraine's military leadership since the February 2022 invasion of Russia.
Zelenskiy said the high command needed to be “revamped” and that General Zarzhini could “remain in the team.”
“Starting today, a new management team will take over the leadership of the Ukrainian Armed Forces,” he said on Thursday.
President Zelenskiy said he had a “frank conversation” with General Zarzhny about the changes needed in the military and thanked the general for defending Ukraine from Russia.
Zelenskiy then announced the appointment of General Sirshiky as the new military commander.
He said the new incumbent had “experience of successful defense” in Kiev and “experience of successful offense” in Kharkov.
General Shirushky led the defense of Kiev, the capital of Ukraine, in the event of a full-scale Russian invasion in 2022.
He was the mastermind behind the Ukrainian surprise attack and successful counterattack in Kharkiv that summer, and has since been in charge of military operations in eastern Ukraine, one of the two mainstays of the Ukrainian counteroffensive.
The country's Defense Minister Rustem Umerov expressed his gratitude to General Zarzhini, saying:
“General Valery Zarzhiny had one of the most difficult tasks: leading the Ukrainian army during World War I against Russia.
“But wars do not remain the same. Wars change and demands change. Combat in 2022, 2023 and 2024 are three different realities. 2024 will bring new changes. And We have to be prepared. We need new approaches, new strategies.”
“Today, a decision was taken on the need to change the leadership of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
“I am deeply grateful to Valery Fedorovich for all his achievements and victories.”
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