Ukrainian president names new top military commander

Ukraine’s longtime military leader Oleksiy Danilov “will now work in a new direction,” President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Tuesday. The president said the new secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council will be Oleksandr Lytvynenko.

Danilov thanked Zelenskyy in a public statement, expressing gratitude for being allowed to serve as the head of Ukraine’s military for 4 years, 5 months, and 24 days. He described the time as “hours that flew by like lightning.” He did not discuss why he was leaving or being removed from the role.

Were there any other shakeups? Zelenskyy also appointed Oleh Ivaschenko as the new leader of the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine. “He has relevant experience,” Zelenskyy said. In February, Zelenskyy replaced the top leader of Ukraine’s ground forces.

Why are these recent shakeups taking place? Zelenskyy categorized the leadership shuffle as part of a “reset of our state governance system.” The decision comes after Ukrainian forces suffered losses on the battlefield—such as last month’s retreat from the city of Avdiivka—and a hesitation in additional support from the United States.

Dig deeper: Listen to Mary Reichard’s discussion with William Inboden on The World and Everything in It podcast about how Putin failed to protect his people from a terrorist attack last week.