Volodymyr Horbatyuk may be appointed head of the General Staff: no official decision has yet been made
The media reported on Gorbatyuk’s likely appointment, citing MP Oleksiy Honcharenko.
According to him, Andriy Hnatov is set to step down as Chief of the General Staff, and Volodymyr Gorbatyuk may take over the post. However, neither the President’s Office nor the General Staff has yet confirmed these personnel changes.
As of the time of writing, there are no decrees on the President’s website regarding Gnatov’s dismissal or Gorbatyuk’s appointment. On the official website of the Armed Forces of Ukraine’s leadership, Andriy Gnatov is still listed as Chief of the General Staff.
What Zelenskyy said about the changes in the General Staff
On the evening of 21 July, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Mykhailo Drapatiy is to become the new Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The Head of State also announced a reorganisation of the General Staff, but did not name its future Chief.
According to Zelenskyy, he had discussed the new structure of the General Staff with Drapatiy, Acting Minister of Defence Yevhen Khmara and Deputy Head of the President’s Office Pavlo Palisa.
The President also reported on a conversation with Andriy Hnatov regarding the future format of his service and the proper handover of duties. At the same time, Zelenskyy did not specify exactly which position Hnatov might take up following the personnel changes.
“We will formalise all decisions tomorrow,” the head of state said. Consequently, official documents regarding the new leadership of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the General Staff may be published on 22 July.
What is known about Volodymyr Horbatyuk
Volodymyr Horbatyuk is a Major General and Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He is responsible for operational planning, troop command and coordination between headquarters.
A few days before the personnel decisions were announced, Zelenskyy held a second meeting with Horbatyuk. During their conversation, they discussed Ukraine’s defence strategy and cooperation with international partners.
Gorbatyuk previously commanded the 54th Separate Mechanised Brigade, served in the leadership of Operational Command ‘West’, and has been working at the General Staff since 2024. He was promoted to the rank of Major General in August 2024.
It will only be possible to confirm definitively that Volodymyr Horbatyuk will replace Andriy Hnatov once the relevant decree has been published or an official announcement has been made by the military leadership.
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