Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has replaced for the third time in less than a year the commander of a key military formation responsible for defending the eastern center of Pokrovsk, which is at increased risk of falling into the hands of Russian forces, Reuters reported, quoted by BTA.
In his nighttime video address, Zelensky said he had appointed the new commander of Ukraine's ground forces, Maj. Gen. Mykhailo Drapatiy, as head of the "Khortitsa" operational-strategic group, whose area of responsibility includes a large part of Ukraine's eastern front.
"These are the most difficult areas of combat operations," Zelensky said, adding that he discussed the changes at a meeting with the commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian armed forces Oleksandr Syrsky.
Taking the city would bring Russia closer to capturing the entire Donetsk region, one of President Vladimir Putin's main goals in his war in Ukraine. Zelensky added that Drapatiy's appointment would help combine the army's combat work with the proper training of brigades.
"It is the needs of the front line that should determine the standards for manning and training brigades," he stressed. Drapatiy will replace Major General Andrey Khnatov, who has been in charge of "Khortytsia" since June. He will become deputy chief of the General Staff, overseeing training and communications.