Zelensky replaces Ukraine's armed forces commander-in-chief

KIEV — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said he had appointed Colonel-General Oleksandr Syrsky as the Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, replacing Valery Zaluzhny.

"Starting today, a new management team will take over the leadership of the Ukrainian Armed Forces," Zelensky said on Thursday in a Telegram post, Xinhua news agency reported.

Describing Syrsky as "the most experienced Ukrainian commander", the President added that he had a successful defensive experience during the operation to defend Kiev.

Besides, Syrsky had a successful offensive experience during the operation to take back the eastern Kharkiv region from the Russian forces, Zelensky said.

The 58-year-old Syrsky once served as the Commander of the Ukrainian Ground Forces between 2019 and 2024.