On Monday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the dismissal of Lieutenant General Yuriy Sodol as commander of the Joint Forces of Ukraine’s Armed Forces, amid concerns about his performance in the ongoing war against Russia. In his nightly video address, Zelenskyy named Brigadier General Andriy Hnatov as Sodol’s replacement but did not provide specific reasons for the change.
The dismissal follows public criticism from Bohdan Krotevych, chief of staff of Ukraine’s Azov National Guard Brigade. Krotevych accused an unnamed general, widely understood to be Sodol, of significant military failures and called for his prosecution. In a social media post, Krotevych claimed the general’s actions had led to more Ukrainian casualties than any Russian commander and stated his willingness to testify against him in an official complaint submitted to Ukraine’s State Bureau of Investigation.
Krotevych’s allegations included accusations of abuse of power and incompetent command, which purportedly resulted in the loss of substantial Ukrainian territory. He also suggested possible collaboration with Russia, further intensifying calls for an investigation. The leaked report cited by Ukrainska Pravda corroborates these claims, adding to the pressure for accountability.
General Hnatov, who succeeds Sodol, brings a track record of significant military achievements. He served as deputy commander of the southern theater of operations since 2022 and played a crucial role in the recapture of much of the Kherson region from Russian forces. Additionally, he led the defense of Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine during intense battles in the spring of 2023, despite the town eventually falling to Russian forces.
The shakeup in military leadership comes at a critical time, as Russian forces have been making incremental advances in eastern Ukraine. Zelenskyy’s decision underscores ongoing efforts to strengthen military leadership and strategy amid the prolonged conflict. This move follows the February dismissal of Ukraine’s top commander, Valeriy Zaluzhnyi, after public disagreements with Zelenskyy regarding the war’s conduct.
The Institute for the Study of War, a U.S.-based think tank, noted that Hnatov’s appointment reflects a strategic shift aimed at bolstering Ukraine’s defensive and offensive capabilities.
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