Zelensky Fires Top General Amid Incompetence Allegations
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has dismissed a top general following public criticism over high casualties and allegations of incompetence. Lt. Gen. Yuriy Sodol, who had been commander of the Joint Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine since earlier this year, has been replaced by Brig. Gen. Andriy Hnatov.
However, just hours before, Maj. Bohdan Krotevych, chief of staff of the Azov Brigade, filed a complaint with the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), accusing Gen. Sodol of causing more Ukrainian soldier deaths than any Russian general. Krotevych also criticized Sodol for not being investigated for the loss of regions and thousands of soldiers. His post on Telegram, which has been viewed over 800,000 times, was critical of Sodol and praised the appointment of Gen. Hnatov as a "very worthy officer."
Gen. Sodol participated in the defense of Mariupol and battles near Volnovakha following Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. Both cities are now under Russian control. Sodol was appointed commander of the Joint Forces in February 2024, succeeding Oleksandr Syrskyy, who became commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces. Ukraine's military leadership has seen significant changes recently as Russian forces advance slowly but steadily in the east.
Since early 2024, Kyiv's forces have struggled with limited resources to maintain their defense. Ukrainian forces have also increased attacks on Russian territory, targeting oil refineries and being blamed by Moscow for a missile strike on occupied Crimea on Sunday that reportedly killed four and injured over 100 people.
