Appointment of a New Chief of Staff: Ukraine’s Attempt to Regain Military Momentum

18th March 2025

2 minutes read

Appointment of a New Chief of Staff: Ukraine’s Attempt to Regain Military Momentum

Amid escalating battles and troop withdrawals on certain fronts, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has made another leadership change in the military.

On Sunday evening, President Zelensky appointed Andriy Hnatov as the new Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces.

In a statement, the General Staff explained that General Hnatov has been tasked with improving the “efficiency of vertical management” of the forces, particularly regarding the “reorganization of army units.”

He is also responsible for strengthening the “implementation” of decisions made by the Commander-in-Chief, President Zelensky, and bringing “combat experience” to the leadership.

Hnatov replaces Anatoliy Barhylevych, who had held the position since February 2024.

Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov stated: “We are systematically transforming the armed forces to enhance their combat effectiveness,” praising the appointment, which he said was made on his recommendation.

Barhylevych, the former Chief of Staff, will now serve as the Inspector General of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense.

Umerov emphasized that Barhylevych “will remain part of the team,” overseeing military standards and reinforcing discipline within the army.

Since the war began in 2022, Ukraine’s military has seen its numbers dwindle despite recruitment efforts to counter Russia’s offensive. The army is now seeking to reorganize its ranks.

The establishment of large units comprising several battalions (roughly 15,000 soldiers per division in principle) would improve coordination among forces, which has often been described as chaotic by military experts.

Who is Andriy Hnatov?

According to The Kyiv Independent, Hnatov has over 27 years of experience in the military.

He previously commanded a marine brigade, led the Eastern Operational Command, and oversaw the Joint Forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

Battlefield Reforms

Since the war began in February 2022, Zelensky has frequently reshuffled both the government and military leadership.

This latest change in the armed forces comes as fighting continues in Russia’s Kursk region, where Ukraine’s General Staff reported eight combat engagements on Sunday.

Last August, the Ukrainian army surprised Russia with a cross-border attack in Kursk, seizing an estimated 1,300 km² (500 square miles) of territory.

However, Ukrainian forces are now retreating, meaning Kyiv has lost a crucial bargaining chip as momentum grows for a ceasefire with Russia, according to the Associated Press.

On Friday, Russia announced it had taken control of Sudja, the largest city occupied by Ukraine in the Kursk region.

Over the weekend, Ukraine’s General Staff published maps indicating that its forces were no longer stationed in Sudja, one of its most strategically significant strongholds in the region.

Ukraine is also fighting under increasing pressure in the eastern Donetsk region, where Russian forces have been advancing for months.