Ukraine Removes Joint Forces Commander Yuri Sodol and Appoints Andrei Gnatov
In a televised address published on his personal Telegram channel, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced a personnel change at the top of the Armed Forces. The commander of the Joint Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Lieutenant General Yuriy Sodol, would be replaced, Zelensky stated, and the position would be filled by Brigadier General Andrei Gnatov.
The resignation or removal of senior military leadership is a significant development in Ukraine’s ongoing efforts to strengthen command and control in the war zone. The president’s report framed the move as part of a broader process to ensure accountability and reinforce strategic leadership as Ukraine continues its defense operations in challenging circumstances.
Supporters of the president note that the decision aligns with Ukraine’s practice of periodically reviewing high-level military leadership to ensure that command decisions remain aligned with battlefield realities and national security objectives. The transition to Gnatov, described by Zelensky as a reinforcement in the Joint Forces, is viewed by some observers as an effort to bring fresh perspectives to the command structure during a protracted conflict in the eastern and southern theaters.
In the parliament, Deputy Maryana Bezuglaya provided a pointed critique of Yuriy Sodol’s tenure. Bezuglaya claimed that several battlefield setbacks occurred under Sodol’s watch, specifically citing a Russian breakthrough in the Toretsk area within the Donetsk region. The deputy framed these events as failures in leadership and operational execution that warranted closer scrutiny by lawmakers and security authorities.
Bezuglaya further asserted that Sodol’s conduct during a business trip raised questions about the discipline and oversight expected of senior officers. She released a photograph showing the major general with a glass in hand, used as an illustration of inappropriate behavior during official duties. Following these remarks, the deputy indicated she would submit a formal inquiry to authorities to investigate Sodol’s travels around the country in connection with his official duties.
The allegations and the resulting personnel decision underscore ongoing tensions within Ukraine’s defense establishment as both the government and security agencies navigate the complex demands of wartime leadership. The Verkhovna Rada and other institutions are repeatedly called upon to balance accountability with operational continuity in a rapidly changing front line environment.
Historically, the Ukrainian Parliament has sometimes labeled as responsible certain failures in the country’s military operations in contested regions, including parts of Kharkiv and Donetsk, as Parliamentarians seek to assign responsibility for outcomes in the war zone. In this instance, the transition at the Joint Forces level appears to reflect a broader pattern of executive-led personnel reassessment aimed at strengthening the military’s strategic focus and effectiveness in ongoing combat operations. The case continues to unfold as officials provide clarifications about the reasons for the change and outline the expected duties for the incoming commander, Andrei Gnatov, whose leadership will be closely watched by both national and international observers responsible for monitoring Ukraine’s defense posture during the conflict.