KYIV, Ukraine (AP) 鈥 Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Sunday appointed Andrii Hnatov as the new chief of the general staff of Ukraine鈥檚 armed forces, as the country looks to restructure and strengthen its military while its engaged in combat in Russia鈥檚 Kursk region and facing increasing pressure in Donetsk.
Hnatov replaced Anatoliy Barhylevych, who held the position since February 2024. The appointment was announced by the general staff via its Telegram channel Sunday.
鈥淲e are systematically transforming the Armed Forces of Ukraine to enhance their combat effectiveness,鈥 Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said.
Barhylevych will now serve as the general inspector of Ukraine鈥檚 Defense Ministry. Umerov emphasized that Barhylevych would 鈥渞emain part of the team,鈥 overseeing military standards and strengthening discipline in the army.
Oleksandr Syrskyi remains in place as commander-in-chief of Ukraine鈥檚 armed forces.
Zelenskyy has made frequent personnel changes within the Ukrainian government and military since Russia launched its in 2022.
This change in personnel comes as fighting continues in Russia鈥檚 Kursk region, where Ukraine鈥檚 General Staff said that Ukrainian troops had been involved in eight combat clashes on Sunday.
Ukraine's army in August last year by attacking across the border and taking control of an estimated 1,300 square kilometers (500 square miles) of land, but Ukraine鈥檚 forces are now in retreat 鈥 meaning Ukraine has all but lost a valuable bargaining chip, as momentum builds for a . On Friday, Russia claimed control of Sudzha, the largest town that Ukraine had occupied in the Kursk region.
Ukraine is also battling under growing pressure in its eastern Donetsk region, where Russian troops have been advancing for months.
