Ukrainian President Changes Military Commander Again At Pokrovsk Medan's Most Difficult War

Ukrainian Military/PHOTO via Instagram @uaf_general_staff

JAKARTA - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy for the third time replaced the commander of Ukraine's main military formation in charge of defending the eastern center of Pokrovsk, which is increasingly at risk of falling into the hands of Russian troops.

Zelenskiy assigned the commander of Ukraine's new ground force, Major General Mykhailo Drapathyi, to lead Khortytsia's operational-strategy group, whose territory covers most of Ukraine's eastern fronts.

"This is the most difficult battle area," Zelenskiy said.

The President of Ukraine discussed the changes at a meeting with Ukrainian Commander Oleksandr Syrskyi.

Russia's control of the city will bring Russia closer to capturing the entire Donetsk region, which is one of President Vladimir Putin's main goals in his war in Ukraine.

Zelensky said the appointment of Drapatyi would help combine army combat work with proper brigade training.

"It is the frontline needs that must determine the standard of staff placement and brigade training," he said.

Drapatyi will replace Major General Andriy Hnatov, who has led Khortytsia since June and will become Deputy Chief of General Staff for training and communications.

Russian troops continue to move forward in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine towards Pokrovsk, passing through the region from the south and trying to cut off supply lines to Ukrainian troops.

Pokrovsk, which had a population of about 60,000 people before the war, became one of Ukraine's main defense strongholds in the Donetsk region and became the focus of fierce fighting for months.