Ukrainian President Zelenskyy takes command of country's armed forces amid escalating military tensions
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has replaced General Valerii Zaluzhnyi as the head of Ukraine's armed forces, marking a significant shift in the country's military leadership amid ongoing tensions with Russia, reported CNN.
Speculation was rife for over a week before Zelenskyy's announcement on February 8, reflecting the strained relationship between him and Zaluzhnyi over recent months.
The change comes at a crucial moment in the war with Russia, with Ukrainian units facing challenges along various fronts, particularly in the Donetsk and Kharkiv regions. Shortages of ammunition and experienced personnel have added to the complexities faced by Ukrainian forces, as per CNN.
President Zelenskyy acknowledged the need for urgent changes, stating, «The feeling of stagnation in the southern areas and the difficulties in the fighting in the Donetsk region have affected the public mood.»
According to CNN, the appointment of General Oleksandr Syrskyi as Zaluzhnyi's successor signifies a potential shift in Ukrainian military strategy. While Syrskyi is seen as a consensus choice, concerns linger regarding his leadership style and effectiveness.
Syrskyi has been in command of land forces since the Russian invasion but was criticized for extending the defense of Bakhmut at great human cost. Subordinates have described him as lacking empathy and some soldiers took to calling him «General 200» (200 is the military code for killed-in-action.)
Matthew Schmidt, Director of the International Affairs programme at the University of
