Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has appointed two of the country’s most recognized commanders to supervise the defense of strongholds in the eastern region, where Ukrainian forces are engaged in efforts to repel the Russian offensive, according to reports.
Russian troops are gradually advancing toward the so-called belt of fortifications, composed of industrial cities in Donetsk. The Kremlin has demanded that Ukraine relinquish the entire region to end the war.
During a visit to the front lines alongside the chief of staff, Zelensky announced that Andrii Biletsky, commander of the Third Army Corps, and Denis Prokopenko, commander of the First Azov Corps, will lead new formations aimed at strengthening the defense in the Donetsk area.
Both commanders are part of a new generation of battlefield leaders with significant experience, currently leading what are considered some of the most capable and well-trained forces in Kyiv’s military. Their troops are actively involved in the fighting in this sector of the front, and the commanders have been praised for their combat effectiveness and planning capabilities.
Mixed Progress on the Frontlines
The appointments come at a time when Ukrainian forces are experiencing both advances and setbacks along the front lines.
This year, they have liberated dozens of localities as part of a multi-phase operation in the southeast, reclaiming over 700 square kilometers of territory, according to the Ukrainian president.
Nevertheless, Russian forces are closing in on crucial cities such as Kostiantynivka, Kramatorsk, and Sloviansk, which are essential for Ukraine, which has rejected Kremlin demands to cede the region.
The selection of these two commanders, who have participated in the war since Russia’s first invasion in 2014, aims to provide new chief of staff Mihailo Drapaty with greater latitude for strategic planning, according to military analyst Mykola Bielieskov.
His predecessor, Oleksandr Syrskiy, faced criticism for micromanagement, attempting to oversee even smaller sectors of the front.
Drone Forces Commander Praises New Appointments
Biletsky, a prominent right-wing political leader, founded Ukraine’s Azov Battalion in 2014 to combat Russia-backed separatists. He later established the Third Army Corps, which has become one of the most sought-after units for new recruits.
Prokopenko commanded Azov during the Russian siege of Mariupol, and after returning from captivity in Russia, he helped transform it into a force with tens of thousands of troops.
Both units are known for adopting NATO-style doctrines and incorporating new technologies.
Robert Brovdi, commander of Ukraine’s drone forces, who leads Kyiv’s medium- and long-range strike campaigns, praised the appointment of the two commanders, viewing it as an important step toward a “network-centric warfare.”
“This is exactly what ‘Intelligent Warfare’ means,” he wrote on social media.
