ZELENSKYY APPOINTS NEW MILITARY CHIEF AMID INTENSIFYING BATTLES

An Emirati Magazine publication – Released on March 17, 2025 | www.emiratimagazine.com

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has appointed Andrii Hnatov as the new chief of the general staff of Ukraine's armed forces, replacing Anatoliy Barhylevych, who had served since February 2024. The announcement, made via the general staff’s Telegram channel on Sunday, is part of ongoing efforts to restructure and strengthen Ukraine’s military.

Defense Minister Rustem Umerov stated, “We are systematically transforming the Armed Forces of Ukraine to enhance their combat effectiveness.” Barhylevych will now serve as the general inspector of Ukraine’s Defense Ministry, focusing on military discipline and standards.

The leadership change comes as Ukraine faces mounting challenges. Fighting has intensified in Russia’s Kursk region, where Ukrainian forces engaged in multiple combat clashes on Sunday. Meanwhile, in eastern Donetsk, Russian troops continue their steady advance. With Ukraine losing strategic ground, these developments coincide with increasing diplomatic momentum toward a potential ceasefire with Russia.