Kyiv: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has again replaced the commander of a critical military formation responsible for defending the eastern hub of Pokrovsk, which faces an increasing threat from Russian forces. This marks the third such replacement in under a year.
In his nightly video address on Sunday, Zelenskiy announced the appointment of Major General Mykhailo Drapatyi as the new commander of the Khortytsia operational-strategic group. This group is responsible for a significant portion of Ukraine’s eastern front, a region that has seen some of the most intense fighting in the ongoing conflict.
“These are the toughest areas of fighting,” Zelenskiy said, emphasizing the importance of Drapatyi’s new role. He further revealed that he had discussed the changes with Ukraine’s Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi.
The capture of Pokrovsk by Russian forces would bring them closer to achieving one of President Vladimir Putin’s primary objectives: securing control of the entire Donetsk region. Zelenskiy’s reshuffling aims to strengthen Ukraine’s defense against these advancing Russian forces.
In his address, Zelenskiy stated that Drapatyi’s appointment is intended to enhance coordination between combat operations and the necessary training of military brigades. “It is the front-line needs that should determine the standards for staffing and training of brigades,” he noted.
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Drapatyi replaces Major General Andriy Hnatov, who had been leading Khortytsia since June. Hnatov will transition to a new role as Deputy Chief of the General Staff, focusing on training and communication within the military.
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Russian forces have been making steady advances in Donetsk, particularly around Pokrovsk, bypassing the city to the south and attempting to sever critical supply lines to Ukrainian troops. Pokrovsk, which had a pre-war population of around 60,000, remains one of Ukraine’s key defensive positions in the Donetsk region and continues to be a focal point of intense fighting.
