Zelenskyy sets expectations for Syrskii as Ukraine's new top commander

Today, Zelenskyy appointed Syrskii as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The president immediately stated his expectations from the new military leadership.

In particular, Syrskii is expected to present a realistic, detailed action plan for the Ukrainian Armed Forces in 2024, taking into account the current situation on the battlefield and future prospects.

Additionally, every combat brigade on the frontline should receive effective Western weapons. Zelenskyy believes that there should be a fair redistribution of such weapons in favor of the frontline.

Zelenskyy also mentions Avdiivka, stating, "The logistics problems must be resolved. Avdiivka must not wait for the generals to find out which warehouses the drones are stuck in."

In his opinion, the new leadership must address the excessive and unjustified overstaffing in the headquarters. They should also devise and implement an effective rotation system within the army. Zelenskyy believes that the experience of certain combat brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and units of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, where such a system exists, can serve as a basis.

"There is an obvious need to improve the quality of training for the warriors – only trained soldiers can be on the front line. A new type of forces is being created in the structure of the Armed Forces – the Unmanned Systems Forces. The first commander is to be appointed," says Zelenskyy.

Zaluzhnyi's dismissal and Syrskii's appointment

On Thursday evening, February 8, Zelenskyy announced the decision to dismiss Valerii Zaluzhnyi from the position of Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Instead, Oleksandr Syrskii was appointed as the new Commander-in-Chief.

Zaluzhnyi's dismissal

Rumors of Valeriy Zaluzhnyi's resignation from the position of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine emerged at the end of January 2024. Although even before that, there were discussions on social media about the possible dismissal of Zaluzhnyi.

It is known that there was a conflict between President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Valerii Zaluzhnyi, with initial tensions emerging as early as the summer of 2022.

The conflict escalated due to the actual failure of the counteroffensive. According to sources withing the Presidential office, the primary source of all optimistic forecasts was the assurances of the generals of the operation's success.

For more details on what happened between Zelenskyy and Zaluzhnyi and what preceded Ukraine's army chief dismissal, read RBC-Ukraine's material.