President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, acting Defence Minister Yevhen Khmara, and Deputy Head of the Office of the President Pavlo Palisa held new discussions with army corps commanders. The talks focused on the frontline’s most urgent needs, border protection, and the commanders’ view of the details of the defence strategy.
They spoke with the commanders of the 9th, 12th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 18th, 21st corps and the 30th Marine Corps. The president said so on social media.
“Thank you for the offers. The commanders reported on the situation in their respective sectors and the activity of the Russian army, the enemy’s plans, and our capabilities to counter them. We analysed the details of defending Kherson, the cities and communities of the Dnipropetrovsk Region, including Nikopol. The key is countering Russian drones, protecting people, and the additional supplies that are needed,” he said.
There was also a separate briefing on preparations for various possible developments on the Chernihiv–Kyiv axis, taking into account intelligence information and Russia’s ongoing search for additional ways to drag out and expand the war. The president added that they discussed the need to strengthen frontline air defence. They identified the necessary decisions to continue the corps reform.
The president has been holding intensive meetings with commanders since last week, when a crisis erupted after he dismissed Defence Minister Mykhaylo Fedorov. Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that relations between the army leadership and the Defence Ministry had reached the point where “without him they won’t sit down” to talk.
Former minister Mykhaylo Fedorov accused the army leadership of sabotaging some decisions at a press conference.
Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyy denied that there was a conflict with Fedorov.
Mykhaylo Fedorov’s dismissal triggered mass protests in various cities. Among the demands were his reinstatement as defence minister and the dismissal of the commander-in-chief.
Over the past few days, Zelenskyy has met several times with the commander of the Joint Forces Grouping, Mykhaylo Drapatyy, and Deputy Chief of the General Staff Volodymyr Horbatyuk. He also spoke with Biletskyi, commander of the 3rd Army Corps.