According to the spokesman, the news will not influence the events in eastern Ukraine, and the combat actions will continue.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday appointed Syrskyi, who had headed the ground forces since 2019, as the new commander-in-chief of the country’s armed forces.

Russia has been conducting a special military operation in Ukraine since February 24, 2022, the aims of which, according to President Vladimir Putin, are to protect the population from “genocide by Kiev” and counter the national security risks posed by the advance of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) towards the east.

Putin stated in December 2023 that the military operation would continue until the denazification, demilitarization and neutrality of Ukraine is achieved.

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