Zelenskyy named the new chief of staff to improve combat effectiveness in Ukraine

Kiev, Ukraine (AP) – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appointed Andrii Hnatov as the new chief of staff of the Ukrainian armed forces on Sunday as the country hopes to reorganize and strengthen ongoing combat in the Kursk region of Russia and pressure on Donetsk has increased.

Hnatov replaced Anatoliy Barhylevych, who held the position since February 2024. The appointment was announced by the General Staff on Sunday through its telegraph channel.

“We are systematically changing the armed forces of Ukraine to improve their combat effectiveness,” said Defense Minister Rustem Umerov.

Barhylevych will now serve as the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense attorney. Umerov stressed that Barhylevych would “maintain part of the team” and be responsible for overseeing military standards and strengthening military discipline.

Oleksandr Syrskyi remains the commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian armed forces.

Zelenskyy has undergone frequent changes in the Ukrainian government and military since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022.

As combat continues in Russia's Kursk region, Ukraine's General Staff said Ukrainian troops were involved in eight combat conflicts on Sunday, a change in this personnel.

Last August, Ukrainian troops shocked Russia by cross-border attacks and controlling an estimated 1,300 square kilometers (500 square miles) of land, but Ukrainian troops are now retreating – Ukraine has almost lost a valuable bargaining chip as this momentum is building momentum with the momentum of Rosia. On Friday, Russia claimed to control Sudzha, the largest town occupied by Ukraine in the Kursk region.

Ukraine is also fighting under increasing pressure in its eastern Donetsk region, where Russian troops have been advancing for months.