The change of leadership in the Armed Forces of Ukraine has been decided by the President of the country, Volodymyr Zelensky, dismissing the Commander-in-Chief, Valery Zaluzny.

Oleksandr Shirsky has been appointed as the Chief of the Armed Forces.

General Zaluzny has been leading Ukraine’s effort at war with Russia since February 2022. The said dismissal will be formalized by presidential decree.

In a statement, Ukrainian Defence Minister, Rustem Umerov, said that General Zaluzny had one of the most difficult tasks – to lead the Armed Forces during the great war with Russia.

Yet the war does not remain the same, as both the war itself and the demands change. The battles of 2022, 2023, and 2024 are three different realities and 2024 will bring new changes, for which they must be ready. For this reason, new approaches, new strategies are needed, he added.

Today a decision was made regarding the need to change the leadership of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, he added, expressing his gratitude to General Zaluzny for all his achievements and victories.

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