Zelenskyy stated that Syrskyi and Hnatov would not be ‘taking a break’, but would be passing on their experience to Drapat and Skibuk
This was announced by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
He said he had held several discussions with Syrskyi and Hnatov.
“We all understand the situation, so we will ensure that both Oleksandr Stanislavovych and Andriy Hnatov do not take a break, but instead pass on their expertise to the new command, so that they remain close by, offering help and advice,” Zelenskyy noted.
The President also outlined the tasks he had set for the acting Minister of Defence, Yevhen Khmara, and the new Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Mykhailo Drapaty.
“The tasks are the same as those for Fedorov and Syrskyi. The issue of closing the airspace, the issue of the Territorial Defence Forces, and the issue of ensuring a normal – if one can put it that way – approach to mobilisation. All this will have to be done together… Unity is, of course, vital. Unity between the Ministry of Defence, our country’s military leadership and our soldiers is vital,” said Zelenskyy.
At the same time, Zelenskyy assured that there would be a reshuffle of personnel in the army: “I am awaiting proposals from the new Commander-in-Chief.”
It should be recalled that, following almost a week of mass protests in Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed Syrskyi and appointed Mykhailo Drapatyi as Commander-in-Chief. Along with Syrskyi, Andriy Hnatov stepped down as Chief of the General Staff; he was replaced by Major-General Ihor Skybyuk.
Zelenskyy offered the former Defence Minister, Mykhailo Fedorov – whom protesters are demanding be reinstated – the post of Deputy Prime Minister for Military Innovation. However, according to sources at ‘Ukrainska Pravda’, he had previously declined the offer, stating that, with his team at the Ministry of Defence, he could ‘immediately join forces’ with Commander-in-Chief Drapaty.
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