IRIA News

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy replaced the commander overseeing the critical eastern front, where some of the most intense fighting in the Ukraine war is taking place. The decision comes in the wake of Russian forces capturing another strategic town in the Donetsk region, intensifying the conflict in one of the war’s most fiercely contested areas.

Brigadier-General Andriy Hnatov, who had been leading the eastern front, has been reassigned to a role focusing on training and communications. Major General Mykhailo Drapatyi, the overall commander of Ukraine’s ground forces, has been appointed as Hnatov’s replacement. Drapatyi will continue to carry out his broader duties while assuming responsibility for the embattled eastern front.

In his nightly address on January 26, 2025, President Zelenskyy explained the rationale behind the decision. “The aim is to strengthen the command of troops in the Donetsk region,” he said. This area has been a hotbed of conflict since 2014 and has become a focal point of Russia’s military efforts since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Donetsk is also one of four provinces that Moscow claims to have annexed.

The appointment of Major General Drapatyi as the new eastern front commander has been met with cautious optimism within the military. Drapatyi, 42, is well respected and is credited with halting a major Russian offensive in the northeastern Kharkiv region last year. His leadership played a pivotal role in Ukraine’s ability to thwart Russia’s initial assault on Kyiv in early 2022 and in recapturing significant territory during the war’s first year.

However, Ukraine’s counteroffensive momentum has slowed since mid-2023. A major counterattack launched in the summer failed to achieve its objectives, leaving Ukrainian forces largely on the defensive. Analysts estimate Russia captured approximately 3,000 square kilometers (about 1,200 square miles) of Ukrainian territory last year.

As the war approaches its three-year mark in February 2025, Ukraine faces mounting challenges. The military is outmanned on the battlefield, and its troops are exhausted after prolonged combat. To address manpower shortages, the government recently lowered the mobilization age from 27 to 25 and introduced stricter measures against those evading conscription. However, officials have resisted calls to lower the mobilization age further, a move that some argue is necessary to replenish Ukraine’s forces.

Despite these challenges, Ukraine’s military continues to hold key positions and resist Russian advances. Trehubov underscored the resilience of Ukrainian forces, even in the face of increasing pressure: “The fight in the Donetsk region is tough, but our troops are holding their ground.”

Fall of Velyka Novosilka

The Ukrainian military has confirmed that it had withdrawn from the town of Velyka Novosilka in the Donetsk region, following a Russian announcement that its forces had captured the town. Viktor Trehubov, a spokesperson for Ukraine’s eastern front, acknowledged that Russian troops had entered the town but stressed that fighting was still ongoing on its outskirts.

Russian forces have been steadily advancing in the eastern regions of Ukraine for over a year, engaging in relentless ground combat. The toll has been severe for both sides, with massive military losses reported. Despite these setbacks, Ukraine has managed to capture and hold a small pocket of territory inside Russia over the past six months.

The fall of Velyka Novosilka marks a significant blow to Ukraine’s defensive lines as Russian forces continue to push westward. The logistics hub of Pokrovsk, located in the Donetsk region, remains a key target for Russian forces.

Pokrovsk, which had a pre-war population of 60,000, now houses around 7,000 residents. Trehubov described the situation in the area as highly volatile: “The Pokrovsk direction accounts for at least half of all combat clashes. There is a lot of fighting there. It is the most active direction. They are trying to bypass the city, cut the supply lines, and drive our troops out of the city.”

Strategic implications

The ongoing battle for Donetsk highlights the strategic importance of the region for both sides. For Russia, securing Donetsk would solidify its control over one of the four provinces it claims to have annexed, while also providing a springboard for further advances into Ukrainian territory. For Ukraine, defending Donetsk is critical to maintaining its territorial integrity and preventing further encroachment by Russian forces.

The replacement of Hnatov with Drapatyi signals a strategic recalibration by Kyiv, as it seeks to strengthen its command structure and adapt to evolving battlefield conditions. With Drapatyi at the helm, Ukraine hopes to counter Russia’s slow but steady advances and regain the initiative in the conflict.

As the war grinds on, the situation in eastern Ukraine remains fluid and unpredictable. The next few months are likely to be crucial in determining the trajectory of the conflict, particularly in the Donetsk region.

The leadership change reflects Ukraine’s commitment to bolstering its defenses, the challenges of manpower shortages and exhausted troops underscore the immense difficulty of sustaining a prolonged war effort. For now, all eyes remain on Donetsk, where the fate of Ukraine’s eastern front hangs in the balance.