Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s decision to replace the commander of the Joint Forces is believed to be related to recent military failures and losses.
On June 24, President Volodymyr Zelensky unexpectedly dismissed Lieutenant General Yuriy Sodol, appointing Andriy Hnatov as his replacement. Zelensky announced this decision during his nightly online address on June 24, without specifying the reasons for the change.
Sodol’s dismissal came immediately after Bohdan Krotevych, the leader of Ukraine’s Azov Regiment, accused him of causing significant military failures and substantial personnel losses.
In a post on the messaging app Telegram, Krotevych did not name Sodol directly but indicated that an unnamed general “has caused more Ukrainian soldiers to die than any Russian general.”
“All the soldiers now understand who I am talking about because 99% of the army dislikes him for what he has done,” Krotevych said, adding that he had requested the Ukrainian Investigation Bureau to look into Sodol’s actions.
Following President Zelensky’s announcement of Sodol’s dismissal and Hnatov’s appointment, Krotevych commented further: “Hnatov is a very competent officer. I hope the news from the frontlines will improve.”
Sodol was appointed in February of last year during a controversial military reshuffle, in which Colonel Oleksandr Syrsky replaced General Valery Zaluzhny as the Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Ukraine has recently made several personnel changes as Kiev’s forces aim to turn the tide, with much of its military currently in a defensive posture.
Sodol commanded ground forces in eastern and southern Ukraine, which have been struggling against an increasingly strong Russian offensive that has regained momentum in recent months.
In contrast, Hnatov has served as deputy commander of the southern campaign since 2022 and played a leading role in reclaiming much of the Kherson region from Russian control.
