Kyiv: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has appointed Major General Andrii Hnatov as the new Chief of the General Staff of Ukraine’s armed forces, replacing Lieutenant General Anatolii Barhylevych. The presidential decree, which was published on the official website, did not provide any specific reasons for the leadership change.
Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov explained the reshuffle as part of efforts to boost the combat effectiveness of Ukraine’s military forces. In a Facebook post, Umerov highlighted that the appointment of Hnatov, who has over 27 years of military experience, was made at his recommendation. Hnatov previously commanded a marine brigade, troops of the Operational Command East, and the Joint Forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Barhylevych, who had served as the Chief of General Staff since February 2024, has now been appointed as the Chief Inspector of the Ministry of Defense. His new role will focus on ensuring military standards are met and reinforcing discipline within the armed forces.
As Ukraine continues its struggle amid the ongoing war, it faces significant challenges, including a manpower shortage and the need for modernization. The country is working to overhaul its military structure, shifting from a brigade system to a corps-based model to improve coordination and decision-making. Drawing on the experience of NATO, Ukraine is also aiming to address issues such as command culture and resource management.
Military analysts estimate that about 880,000 personnel are currently serving in Ukraine’s armed forces. Despite wartime difficulties, the Ukrainian military has made efforts to modernize by appointing younger commanders with combat experience and embracing technological innovations, such as the creation of a dedicated unmanned systems force last year.