President Volodymyr Zelenskiy of Ukraine has made another change in military leadership by appointing Brigadier General Oleksandr Trepak as the new commander of the Special Operations Forces (SOF) of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The decision, announced through two presidential decrees, marks the second replacement of the SOF commander in just six months, following the dismissal of Colonel Serhiy Lupanchuk.
Brigadier General Oleksandr Trepak, the appointed successor, has an extensive background, particularly noted for his leadership during the defense of Donetsk airport in 2014 against Russian-backed forces. Since then, Trepak has been actively involved in defense operations in eastern Ukraine, where he has been instrumental in various strategic operations against separatist forces. His military career has been marked by commendations including the title of Hero of Ukraine.
This change in leadership occurs amidst a broader restructuring within the Ukrainian military, which began in February when President Zelenskiy replaced his top commander and promised a “reboot” of the military leadership to better meet the troops’ needs. The SOF, while maintaining a low public profile, plays a critical role in Ukraine’s defense strategy, especially in conducting operations within Moscow-occupied territories.
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