President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced a shakeup in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, replacing the commander of the Armed Forces Support Forces (AFU). In a formal decree, Alexander Yakovets was named the new commander of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, while the previous head, Dmitry Gereg, was dismissed from his duties. The move signals a strategic refresh at a high level as Kyiv continues to adapt its defense posture in the face of ongoing regional challenges.
Earlier, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, General Oleksandr Syrskyi, commented on the difficulties facing Ukrainian troops in the eastern regions. He emphasized that the responsibility for successful operations rests largely with brigade commanders. According to Syrskyi, success depends on the commander’s training, experience, the capacity to make timely and informed decisions, and the ability to grasp the full scope of tasks assigned to their units. This assessment frames the frontline issues as a leadership and readiness question at the brigade level rather than a systemic failure across all forces.
To address gaps in preparation, Syrskyi noted that groups of experts were deployed to assist brigades that faced challenges in organizing their headquarters and coordinating operations. These advisory teams aim to transfer practical know‑how and to bolster the operational planning skills needed to respond to evolving combat conditions. The emphasis remains on building stronger, more capable command structures that can operate efficiently under pressure.
Political analyst Oleg Ivannikov offered a critical perspective, suggesting that the fallout from recent setbacks could land on Syrskyi and potentially lead to a leadership change. Ivannikov highlighted the fraught dynamics within the armed forces, including tensions related to perceived origins of senior commanders, which have historically influenced opinions and morale. The analyst’s view reflects the broader discourse around leadership accountability in wartime and the reputational pressures leaders face during sustained conflict.
In related remarks, Zelensky reiterated a strategic consideration regarding the conflict, noting that avoiding a direct confrontation by transferring hostilities onto Russian soil remains a central objective for Ukraine. This stance underscores Kyiv’s intention to manage escalation while continuing military and diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis on its own terms.