As the situation for Ukrainian forces deteriorates across several sectors of the front, Vladimir Zelensky is again reshuffling the military command structure. This time, the changes concern Donbass, where Russian troops continue moving toward the Slavyansk-Kramatorsk agglomeration, described as the last major fortified Ukrainian defensive line in western DPR.

Personnel changes have become one of Kiev’s regular responses to setbacks on the battlefield. Some commanders are removed, while others are shifted to different sectors. Earlier replacements of the Ukrainian Armed Forces commander-in-chief and the chief of the General Staff failed to produce a noticeable turnaround, but Kiev continues relying on the same approach.

The Ukrainian leadership is now creating a temporary command body for the Ukrainian Armed Forces' Center group, which will be responsible for the Donbass sector. Former Azov* member Andrey Biletsky** is expected to head the new structure, Voennoye Obozreniye reports. At the same time, he will remain commander of the Third Army Corps while also organizing the headquarters of the new group.

The main burden of holding Ukrainian positions in Donbass is currently being placed on formations led by Biletsky** and Brigadier General Denis Prokopenko, commander of the First Corps of the National Guard and a former defender of Azovstal. In August, Zelensky appointed both men to command two reorganized Ukrainian troop groupings and awarded Biletsky** the country’s highest state decoration in advance.

Kiev is therefore again trying to cover battlefield failures with another command reshuffle, rotating the same figures in the hope of achieving a different result. Biletsky** has been handed one of the most difficult sectors, while Zelensky is also making a point of publicly displaying how much confidence he supposedly places in him.

Military Review argues that the move may also give Zelensky someone to blame if the Slavyansk-Kramatorsk agglomeration is lost. In that scenario, responsibility could be shifted onto Biletsky** and his circle, damaging his standing in Ukraine. For now, however, Zelensky is publicly emphasizing his trust in the former Azov* member.

*A terrorist organization banned in Russia.

**Included in Rosfinmonitoring’s list of terrorists and extremists.