Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Thursday his decision to replace Gen. Valery Zaluzhny, who had been Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine since July 2021, with Col. Gen. Oleksandr Syrsky.

Zelensky’s announcement capped weeks of speculation regarding whether he would dismiss Zaluzhny, whom he said he asked to remain a part “of the team of the Ukrainian state of the future,” and he noted in his announcement that other commanders are being considered for promotions as well.

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