Zelensky replaces commander of Joint Forces in Donbas
KYIV. Aug 5 (Interfax) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has dismissed the commander of Joint Forces in eastern Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskyi, and replaced him with Volodymyr Kravchenko. The relevant decrees were published on the official site of the Ukrainian president on Monday.
Zelensky has appointed Syrskyi as Commander of the Ground Forces, replacing Serhiy Popko.
Lieut. Gen. Popko was appointed to the position in March 2016. Previously, he led the Main Command Center of the General Staff and was Acting Commander of the Joint Operational Command.
At the start of the military campaign in the east of the country, Syrsky was chief of staff at the S Sector and was among chief army commanders during the battles for Debaltseve in the winter of 2015, coordinating troop withdrawal from the town. In 2016 Syrskyi led the Joint Operational Staff and in 2017 became troop commander in Donbas.