New deputies for Syrskyj
Zelenskyj is completely restructuring military leadership
February 11, 2024, 12:44 a.m
Veteran generals in the Ukrainian army are given superiors from lower ranks: President Zelenskyj justifies the restructuring at the top by saying that new technologies are intended to keep losses low. But three experienced combat commanders are also being promoted.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has named two new deputies for the military’s commander-in-chief – leaving out some senior generals. “Deputies of Commander-in-Chief Syrsky will be Colonel Vadim Sukharevsky – his area is autonomous systems and the development of the use of drones for our soldiers – and Colonel Andriy Lebedenko – his area is innovations and the technological component of the army and combat systems,” Zelensky said in the evening in his daily video address. In doing so, he placed two lower-ranking officers in front of a number of generals as their superiors.
Zelensky justified the appointments with the need to promote new technologies in the military. This serves to reduce the losses on the front, said the 46-year-old. Already after the replacement of the commander-in-chief, Zelensky announced a large-scale restructuring of the army’s leadership. In fact, he also replaced three deputies to the Chief of General Staff. In this case, however, he appointed three experienced brigadier generals: Volodymyr Horbatyuk, Olexij Shevchenko and Mykhailo Drapato. Experienced “combat commanders of this war” would thus take on new tasks, he said.
Ask Macron for arms help
Zelensky also mentioned Ukrainian production of weapons and ammunition. The head of state said the necessary instructions were given during meetings. Ukraine is suffering from an increasing shortage of ammunition due to the sparse flow of Western arms aid.
According to Zelensky, cooperation with foreign partners remains important for Kiev. During a phone call, Zelensky said he asked French President Emmanuel Macron for electronic warfare, anti-aircraft and artillery weapons.