Zelensky appointed new Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

"We have determined the sequence of further steps. Today, decisions on the replacement of the leadership of the Armed Forces of Ukraine will be formalized—the relevant decrees are being prepared. Together with Mykhailo Drapatyi and Yevhen Khmara, we decided that Major General Ihor Skybiuk, a highly experienced military officer, will become the new Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. It is important that all components of our army continue to function in complete coordination. We also determined how Oleksandr Syrskyi and Andrii Hnatov will continue serving in the defense of our state", - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on July 22.

He also outlined the organizational decisions that were discussed and are to be implemented. In particular, these concern the development of Ukraine's cyber forces, the training of service members, strengthening the capabilities of military units, and the further development of the corps system.

"It was noted that the priority for the Armed Forces of Ukraine to effectively carry out defense tasks is a practical and efficient mobilization process. I thanked Ukraine's Defense Forces for implementing the long-range sanctions plan against russia, as well as for maintaining the pace of strikes. Yevhen Khmara is handling supply issues that were discussed in recent days with combat commanders and weapons manufacturers", - Zelensky noted.

He also reviewed the current situation and the implementation of Ukraine's defense tasks in the Oleksandrivske direction, the Donetsk oblast, and other areas of intense combat.

"I thank all Ukrainian units for their strength and the full implementation of the relevant operations. We have identified the steps, decisions, and appointments that should accelerate the implementation of key initiatives in the field of air defense—our Freya anti-ballistic program, cooperation with the United States on licenses to produce Patriot systems, as well as cooperation with our European partners", - the head of state said.