Zelensky Appoints New Chief of General Staff After Replacing Top Commander
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has appointed Maj. Gen. Ihor Skybiuk as chief of the General Staff, replacing Andrii Hnatov. The change follows the dismissal of Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, who was replaced by Mykhailo Drapatyi.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has appointed Major General Ihor Skybiuk as the new chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Skybiuk succeeds Andrii Hnatov, who had led the General Staff since March 2025.
The appointment comes shortly after Zelensky dismissed Oleksandr Syrskyi from his position as commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Syrskyi has been replaced by Mykhailo Drapatyi. Skybiuk, a Hero of Ukraine and former commander of the Air Assault Forces, previously served as deputy chief of the General Staff.
Explaining the decision, Zelensky described Skybiuk as a highly experienced military officer who fought alongside the new commander-in-chief in defense of Ukraine. He emphasized the importance of maintaining complete coordination among all branches of the armed forces.
These leadership changes reflect ongoing adjustments in Ukraine's military command structure amid the ongoing Russian invasion.
