(LANKAPUVATH | COLOMBO) – Ukraine’s president has sacked the commander-in-chief of the country’s armed forces, Valerii Zaluzhnyi.
It follows speculation about a rift between the president and Gen Zaluzhnyi, who has led Ukraine’s war effort since the conflict began.
Battle-hardened Gen Oleksandr Syrskyi was announced as his replacement in a presidential decree.
It is the biggest change to Ukraine’s military leadership since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said the high command needed to be “renewed” and that Gen Zaluzhnyi could “remain on the team”.
“Starting today, a new management team will take over the leadership of the Armed Forces of Ukraine,” he said on Thursday.
Gen Zaluzhnyi is a popular general trusted by Ukrainian soldiers and the public, and has been something of a national hero.
His recent approval ratings have been higher than those of Mr Zelensky.
