---
title: "Zelensky again replaces commander of Ukraine's key eastern front"
description: "MELBOURNE, Jan 27 (Reuters) - President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday replaced for the third time in under a year the commander of a key Ukrainian military formation responsible for defending the eastern hub of Pokrovsk that's under increased risk of falling to Russian forces."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "Newsdeck"
author: "Reuters"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/reuters/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-01-27-zelensky-again-replaces-commander-of-ukraines-key-eastern-front/"
published: "2025-01-27T04:44:22"
updated: "2025-01-27T04:44:24"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 228
---

# Zelensky again replaces commander of Ukraine's key eastern front

> MELBOURNE, Jan 27 (Reuters) - President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday replaced for the third time in under a year the commander of a key Ukrainian military formation responsible for defending the eastern hub of Pokrovsk that's under increased risk of falling to Russian forces.

By Reuters · Published 27 January 2025, 06:44 SAST · Updated 27 January 2025, 06:44 SAST

## Key points
- In a tactical reshuffle that sounds like a game of chess with real consequences, Zelensky has appointed Major General Mykhailo Drapatyi to lead Ukraine's eastern front forces, hoping to turn the tide against Russia's relentless advance towards the beleaguered city of Pokrovsk.
- President Zelensky appoints Major General Mykhailo Drapatyi as new commander of ground forces, overseeing critical eastern front operations.
- The change aims to enhance combat effectiveness and training standards for Ukrainian brigades amid ongoing fierce battles.
- Russia's advances threaten to capture Pokrovsk, a key defensive stronghold in the Donetsk region, crucial for supply routes.
- The shift in command follows discussions with Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, highlighting the urgency of the situation.

## Content

Zelensky, in his nightly video address, said he put Ukraine's [new commander](https://www.reutersconnect.com/all?search=all%3AL8N3NE0JN&linkedFromStory=true) of ground forces, Major General Mykhailo Drapatyi, in charge of the Khortytsia operational-strategic group, whose area of responsibility includes much of Ukraine's eastern front.

"These are the toughest areas of fighting," Zelenskiy said, adding that he had discussed the changes at meeting with Ukraine's Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi.

Russia's capture of the city would bring it closer to seizing the entire Donetsk region, which has been one of President Vladimir Putin's key goals in his [war in Ukraine](https://www.reuters.com/world/ukraine-russia-war/).

Zelensky added that Drapatyi's appointment will help to combine the combat work of the army with the proper training of brigades.

"It is the front-line needs that should determine the standards for staffing and training of brigades," he said.

Drapatyi will replace Major General Andriy Hnatov, who has been in charge of Khortytsia since June and who will become a Deputy Chief of the General Staff to run training and communication.

Russian forces have been steadily advancing in eastern Ukraine's Donetsk region towards Pokrovsk, [bypassing it](https://www.reutersconnect.com/all?search=all%3AL1N3O002D&linkedFromStory=true) from the south and trying to cut off supply routes to Ukraine's troops.

Pokrovsk, which had a pre-war population of around 60,000, has been one of Ukraine's main defensive strongholds in the Donetsk region and the focus of fierce fighting for months.

(Reporting by Lidia Kelly in Melbourne; Editing by Sonali Paul)