Viktor Khorenko, a former major general and commander of Ukraine’s special operations forces, has publicly expressed confusion about the reasons behind his removal from command by President Vladimir Zelensky. The news surfaced through Strana.ua, which reported Khorenko’s remarks and his ongoing attempt to understand why the leadership chose to change the top commander of Ukraine’s special operations unit.
In his statements, Khorenko conveyed that he does not know why his tenure was ended and that he is not sure what led to the decision. He emphasized that he does not comprehend the circumstances surrounding his dismissal, signaling a lack of clarity from senior leadership about the rationale behind the move.
According to Khorenko, even Valeriy Zaluzhny, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, could not provide him with a clear explanation for why the post was vacated. This account points to a potential disconnect between the line commanders and the higher command on strategic personnel decisions during ongoing hostilities.
Following the reshuffle, Zelensky signed a decree appointing Colonel Sergei Lupanchuk as the new commander of Ukraine’s special operations forces, marking a shift in the unit’s leadership and potentially signaling a broader reorganization or adaptation of operational priorities in the force structure.
Earlier reporting from U.S. outlets suggested that discussions in Washington reflected concerns about the trajectory of the war with Russia, including debates in Congress about whether to maintain robust support for Kyiv. The coverage underscored how shifts in military leadership in Kyiv can be interpreted within the broader context of international support, strategic aims, and political dynamics in allied capitals.
Previously, Khorenko had spoken about the difficult situation on the ground around Bakhmut, a focal point of fighting that has drawn intense international attention. His comments highlighted the challenges facing Ukrainian forces in one of the conflict’s most demanding theaters and the impact those conditions may have on command decisions and morale.