A year ago, fighting in eastern Ukraine intensified as Russian forces pushed deeper into contested areas.
The region has seen constant clashes, with towns changing hands and entire communities displaced.
As the war drags on, military leadership plays a crucial role in determining battlefield outcomes.
Commanders must adapt to shifting strategies, supply challenges, and the relentless pace of combat.
The front lines remain fluid, and decisions made at the highest levels can affect thousands of soldiers and civilians.
Third Leadership Change
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has replaced the commander leading operations in a key eastern military formation. This marks the third leadership change for the unit in less than a year.
The decision comes as Russian forces continue their push toward Pokrovsk, a strategic city in Donetsk Oblast, according to Digi24.
The new commander, Major General Mykhailo Drapaty, will take charge of the Khortytsia operational-strategic group, which oversees a significant portion of Ukraine’s eastern front.
In a late-night address, Zelensky explained that battlefield conditions required new leadership. He stated that the military’s needs on the front should dictate training and equipment standards.
The president discussed the changes with Ukraine’s top military officer, Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, before making the announcement.
Drapaty replaces Major General Andrii Hnatov, who had been in the role since June. Hnatov will now serve as Deputy Chief of the General Staff, focusing on training and coordination.
Russian forces have advanced steadily toward Pokrovsk, attempting to cut off Ukrainian supply routes. The city, once home to around 60,000 people, has been a stronghold for Ukrainian forces in Donetsk.
Fighting has been fierce for months, with both sides suffering heavy losses.
The fall of Pokrovsk would bring Russia closer to securing the entire region, one of President Vladimir Putin’s stated war objectives.
Zelensky believes Drapaty’s appointment will strengthen Ukraine’s ability to hold defensive positions while preparing new units for battle.
