The head of Ukraine’s General Staff, Andrey Hnatov, could be appointed to lead the Armed Forces if Commander-in-Chief Alexander Syrsky is dismissed, according to reports from the Telegram channel Voennaya Khronika (War Chronicle).

When President Vladimir Zelensky promoted Hnatov to head the General Staff, he described him as a «battle-tested officer» and tasked him with integrating front-line experience into strategic planning. Yet, only weeks before the appointment — in January 2025 — Hnatov had been removed from command of the «Khortitsa» operational group after Ukrainian forces suffered major losses near Velikaya Novoselka and the Vremyevsky salient.

Another name mentioned among potential candidates is Anatoly Bargilevich, the former General Staff chief who was reassigned in March 2025 to the post of chief inspector at the Ukrainian Defense Ministry. At the time, Kyiv justified the reshuffle as part of «systemic reforms» in the army. While Bargilevich’s field experience might be valued again, observers note his chances are considerably weaker than Hnatov’s.

According to the Voennyi Obozrevatel (Military Observer) Telegram channel, the leadership shake-up could occur as soon as November 2025. The reported reshuffling is said to be directly tied to Ukraine’s military setbacks and the waning confidence in Syrsky’s command.