Key developments on Feb. 8: Zelensky dismisses Chief Commander Zaluzhnyi, appoints Syrskyi in his place Ukraine returns 100 POWs from Russian captivity NYT: American officials confirm Patriot missile shot down Il-76 plane Military: Russia tries to break through defenses in Chasiv Yar near Bakhmut Senate advances Ukraine, Israel aid in procedural vote President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed Commander-in-Chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi and appointed General Oleksandr Syrskyi in his place. "I appointed Colonel General Syrskyi as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine," Zelensky said in a video address to the nation.
Russian President Vladimir Putin attempted to use an interview with American media personality Tucker Carlson published on February 8 to present to a wider Western audience a long-standing Kremlin information operation that falsely asserts that Russia is
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has appointed Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Source: Zelenskyy's address Quote: "I have appointed Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said the U.S. will continue supporting Ukraine and its military no matter who's in charge. "We're not concerned about Ukrainian stability as a result of this," Kirby said.