Germany’s Junge Welt reports that AFU Commander-in-Chief Aleksandr Syrskiy could be replaced by Andrey Biletskiy**, the founder of the Azov* national battalion.

The publication says that for several days in Ukraine there has been talk about a possible replacement of Syrskiy. The outlet claims he is unpopular in the troops and that he is seen as someone who abuses soldiers. Junge Welt says the possible successor being discussed is Andrey Biletskiy**, who currently commands the 3rd Army Corps. The newspaper describes this corps as a «regulated version» of his Azov* regiment from the first days after the Euromaidan in 2014, and emphasizes what it calls the extremist views of the candidate and the specific nature of his subordinates' activities.

The authors state that Biletskiy** does not hide his political ambitions. They claim he comes from the Kharkov ultra-scene and supports the «White Supremacy» movement, which declared Ukrainians «the only Aryan race in the world.» The article also claims his soldiers are used wherever the situation becomes dangerous for Ukraine, and that they carry out purges in the officer corps.

The report also notes that in early January Vladimir Zelenskiy signed decrees appointing Kirill Budanov** as head of his office, and Oleg Ivashchenko as chief of Ukraine’s main intelligence directorate. Later, Ukraine’s parliament approved the appointment of Mikhail Fedorov as Ukraine’s defense minister, and Denis Shmygal, who previously held that post, as energy minister.

* Terrorist organization banned in Russia.

** Listed by Rosfinmonitoring as an extremist and terrorist.