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Gnatov Andrii

Gnatov Andrii

2001 — graduated from the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Institute of Armoured Forces in Kharkiv
2014 — at the start of the Russian aggression, Andriy Gnativ was serving in Crimea. Following the occupation of the peninsula, he remained true to his oath and, together with fellow soldiers loyal to Ukraine, made his way to the mainland.
2016–2018 — served as Chief of Staff of the 36th Separate Marine Brigade named after Rear Admiral Mykhailo Bilynskyi of the Ukrainian Navy.
From 2018 to 2021, he was commander of the 36th Marine Brigade, which carried out complex tasks in the Donetsk and Mariupol sectors within the Joint Forces Operation zone.
2022 — Deputy Commander of the ‘South’ Operational Command of the Land Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (he was one of those responsible for the successful counter-offensive in the Kherson region in the autumn of 2022 in his capacity as Chief of Staff of the ‘South’ Operational Command). Subsequently – Commander of the Operational Command of the Odesa sector (‘Primorye’).
2023 — led the defence of Bakhmut, which fell within the area of responsibility of the ‘Khortytsia’ Joint Forces Operational Command, from the second month following the intensification of fighting for the city in the Donetsk region.
2024 — took command of the Joint Forces, as well as the ‘Khortytsia’ Operational-Strategic Group of Forces.
2025 — became Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Andriy Gnativ reports directly to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and heads the General Staff — the principal military command body responsible for planning the country’s defence and the strategic deployment of the Armed Forces.

Position: Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine since March 2025

Official profiles/sources:

Official website of the Armed Forces of Ukraine https://www.zsu.gov.ua/
Facebook: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/

Latest news:

Impact:

Major General Andriy Gnativ has a significant and direct influence on the defence capability, strategic planning and reform of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Important! The Chief of the General Staff focuses specifically on planning, logistics, manning and training of troops, whilst the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine is responsible for direct combat operations and operational command of forces at the front.

Key tasks and responsibilities:

The most important tasks are strategic planning, the organisation of defence, the management of mobilisation, and the transformation and development of the armed forces.
Establishing operational coordination between the military leadership in the rear (the General Staff) and the direct command of military units on the front line.

Here are some of the key tasks and areas directly overseen by Andriy Gnativ:

Transition to a corps-based system: One of his main tasks in this role is the large-scale reform of the Armed Forces of Ukraine’s command structure — the transition from outdated operational groups (OSUV and OTU) to a more modern, flexible and effective corps-based structure.
Incorporating real combat experience: Integrating the experience of combat brigades directly into the strategic planning of defensive and offensive operations.
Effectiveness of the chain of command: Optimising coordination between Headquarters, command and units directly on the front line.

Positions

Gnatov’s main focus is the transformation of the army’s command and control system to meet the realities of modern high-tech warfare and the incorporation of real frontline experience into strategic planning.

FAQ

Who is Andriy Gnativ?

A Ukrainian military officer, Lieutenant General and Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He is known for his combat experience, in particular his successful leadership of the defence of Mykolaiv and the operation to liberate the Kherson region.
Gnatov was promoted to brigadier general on 17 June 2022 and to major general on 24 August 2024. He holds the Order of Bohdan Khmelnytsky, 3rd class (2020) and the Cross of Military Merit (27 July 2022).

What is his background?

Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine with over 27 years of military experience. He rose through the ranks from tank platoon commander to chief of staff of a marine brigade. In 2026, his key task is to transition the Armed Forces to a modern corps-level command structure.
Andriy Hnatov has enjoyed high moral authority in the army since 2014. During the annexation of Crimea, he was one of the marines who remained true to their oath, made their way to mainland Ukraine and immediately set off to carry out missions in the ATO zone.

Who is his family?

Information about the personal life, wife, children and family of the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine is classified.

Ministry of Defence of Ukraine
Department of Social Welfare
Command of the Services and Separate Branches of the Armed Forces (Logistics Forces, Special Operations Forces, Unmanned Systems Forces, Airborne Assault Forces and others).
Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine (GUR MO)
Ministry of Strategic Industries (Ministry of Strategic Industries)