Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has chosen Major General Ihor Skybyuk to become the new chief of the General Staff of the Armed Force. The move follows numerous shake-ups in military leadership that are leading to street protests from Ukrainians.
Zelensky said of the appointment, “We determined the order of further steps. Today, decisions regarding the replacement of the leadership of the Armed Forces of Ukraine will be formalized — the relevant decrees are being prepared. Together with Mykhailo Drapatyi and Yevhenii Khmara, we determined that the new chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine will be Major General Ihor Skybyuk — a very experienced military officer, with whom the new commander-in-chief defended Ukraine side by side.”
Zelensky names new armed forces chief in sweeping Ukraine military shake-up, following days of street protests– rmx.news
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EXCERPT:
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has appointed Major General Ihor Skybyuk as chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces as part of a major overhaul of the country’s military leadership.
The decision follows the appointment of Mykhailo Drapatyi, 43, as commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, replacing Oleksandr Syrskyi.
“We determined the order of further steps,” Zelensky said after the announcement. “Today, decisions regarding the replacement of the leadership of the Armed Forces of Ukraine will be formalized — the relevant decrees are being prepared.”
“Together with Mykhailo Drapatyi and Yevhenii Khmara, we determined that the new chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine will be Major General Ihor Skybyuk — a very experienced military officer, with whom the new commander-in-chief defended Ukraine side by side.”
Zelensky said the new command structure must ensure that every part of the military continues to operate as a unified force. “It is important that all components of our army continue to function absolutely cohesively,” he said.
The president added that decisions had also been made on how Syrskyi would continue serving Ukraine’s defense, although he did not disclose his future position.
Zelensky said discussions with the new leadership covered the development of Ukraine’s cyber forces, troop training, military mobilization, strengthening frontline units, and expanding the corps system.
“The priority for the real ability of the Armed Forces of Ukraine to carry out defense tasks is a practical, effective mobilization process,” he said.