Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky named General Aleksandr Sirsky as the new head of the armed forces on Thursday, after sacking General Valery Zaluzhny from the post.
The move comes almost a week after Zelensky hinted in an interview with an Italian outlet that he would seek a “reset” of both civilian and military leadership in Kiev to better deal with the ongoing conflict with Russia.
“I appointed Colonel General Syrsky as commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine,” Zelensky said in a video statement, calling him “the most experienced Ukrainian commander.”
According to Zelensky, Sirsky distinguished himself in the 2022 defense of Kiev and the offensive in Kharkov later that year.
Announcing Zaluzhny’s dismissal, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said Ukraine needed “new approaches, new strategies” for 2024, as the fighting would be different to previous years.