Ukraine’s President, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, has called for swift changes in the country’s military operations and has dismissed the commander of the military’s medical forces. The announcement was made during a meeting between Zelenskiy and Defence Minister Rustem Umerov. This decision comes amid discussions about the progress of the 20-month-long war against Russia, particularly regarding the speed of the counteroffensive in the east and south.
Zelenskiy, in his nightly video address, stated, “In today’s meeting with Defence Minister Umerov, priorities were set. There is little time left to wait for results. Quick action is needed for forthcoming changes.” Major-General Tetiana Ostashchenko has been replaced as the commander of the Armed Forces Medical Forces. Zelenskiy emphasized the need for a new level of medical support for Ukrainian soldiers, including improvements in tourniquets, digitalization, and communication.
Defense Minister Umerov acknowledged the change through the Telegram messaging app and highlighted the top priorities of digitalization, “tactical medicine,” and servicemen rotation. The Ukrainian military has reported progress in recapturing occupied areas in the east and south. Last week, they also confirmed the control of areas on the eastern bank of the Dnipro River in the southern Kherson region.
Ukrainian commander in chief, General Valery Zaluzhniy, stated in an essay that the war is entering a new stage of attrition, requiring more advanced technology to counter the Russian military. While acknowledging that progress takes time, President Zelenskiy has denied claims that the war is heading towards a stalemate and has appealed to Western partners, particularly the United States, to maintain military support.
Major-General Anatoliy Kazmirchuk, head of a military clinic in Kyiv, will replace Ostashchenko. Her dismissal follows a week of speculation by a Ukrainian news outlet, which suggested that her removal, along with others, was imminent after consultations with paramedics and officials responsible for military support.
Reporting by Ron Popeski and Oleksandr Kozhukhar; Editing by Chris Reese
