President Volodymyr Zelensky has replaced the commander of the ground forces, pledging to “significantly increase combat capability” of the army.

General Mykhailo Drapatyi has replaced Oleksandr Pavliuk, who had served in the position since February 2024, while Oleh Apostol has also been appointed as deputy commander-in-chief of Ukraine’s Armed Forces.

Mr Zelensky did not explain the reasons for the reshuffle, but stated the need to “significantly increase the combat capability of our army, ensure the quality of training of military personnel and introduce innovative approaches to personnel management in the Armed Forces of Ukraine.”

Gen Drapatyi played a key role in the liberation of Mariupol in Donetsk Oblast in 2014, and has headed the “Kharkiv” operational grouping of troops since this May and “Luhansk” operational and tactical group of forces since September.

The reshuffle comes at a critical time for Ukraine, with Mr Zelensky yesterday saying that he was willing to cede territory to Russia to end the war for the first time.

The Ukrainian president said his country could give up land temporarily in exchange for a “Nato umbrella” over the territory Ukraine still holds. He added that after a ceasefire was agreed, Kyiv could “diplomatically” negotiate the return of the territory in the east that is currently under Russian control.