Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has dismissed the head of the Ukrainian army Valerii Zaluzhniy, as was announced by the deputy of the Verkhovna Rada Oleksiy Goncharenko.
Zelensky said he had met with army chief Valerii Zaluzhniy and that the time had come "for changes in the military leadership" but that Kyiv's top general should remain "on his team."
The statement followed days of speculation that Zelensky was considering firing his popular army chief, who is seen by many Ukrainians as a national hero.
"We discussed what renewal the armed forces of Ukraine need. We also discussed who could be in the renewed leadership of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The time for this renewal is now," Zelensky's statement said.
In a separate statement, Zaluzhniy said he had an "important and serious conversation" with Zelensky and that a decision had been made to change tactics and strategy on the battlefield.
"The tasks of 2022 are different from the tasks of 2024. Therefore, everyone must change and adapt to the new realities. To win and together," his statement said.
"From tomorrow, Colonel General Oleksandr Sirskyi will be the new Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine," Zelensky said in his evening address.
"I am grateful to General Zaluzhniy for his two years of defense. I am grateful for every victory we achieved together, and I thank all Ukrainian soldiers who heroically endured this war."
"As of today, the leadership of the Armed Forces of Ukraine is assumed by a new leadership team. I want our soldiers in Robotine or Avdiivka, the General Staff, and the Chief of the General Staff to have the same vision for the war. Sirski has a successful defense record, having led the operation to defend Kyiv. He also has successful experience in the offensive - the Kharkiv liberation operation," Zelensky added. / BGNES
