President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the nation, announcing decisions regarding the renewal of military leadership and expecting changes in it soon.

"Dear Ukrainians,

Today I met with Chief Commander Valeriy Zaluzhnyi.

This was one of hundreds of our conversations during this war. Almost two years of constant analysis of every situation.

We discussed the front lines today. Threats, directions, all challenges. Avdiivka — extraordinary actions of our soldiers and extraordinary difficulties in defending the city. The Zaporizhzhia direction. Very harsh. Southern directions. Challenges for the Kharkiv region. And our capabilities — Ukraine's capabilities this year. The third year of full-scale war.

We must make this year decisive. Decisive for achieving Ukrainian goals in the war. Russia cannot simply reconcile with the existence of an independent Ukraine, with the very fact of our country’s independent life. But Russia will have to reconcile with our strength.

Two years of experience from this war convinced me: only defeats for Russia bring us closer to peace.

Each year of this war has its own character.

The first year — we held out. We started turning things around. Proved to the world that Russia can lose. The second year of this war — we won control over the Black Sea. Won the winter. Proved that we could regain control of Ukrainian skies. But, unfortunately, did not achieve our country's goals on land.

We must honestly admit: feelings of stagnation especially in southern directions and difficulties in battles in Donetsk have affected public mood. Ukrainians started talking less about victory. But the Ukrainian spirit has not lost faith in victory. Ukraine preserves its historic chance. Realizing it — our duty.

This year must be a time for Ukraine — when every Ukrainian soldier knows, as before, that the Ukrainian state and army are capable of winning.

I am grateful to General Zaluzhnyi for two years of defense. I am grateful for each victory we achieved together thanks to all Ukrainian soldiers who heroically carry this war on their shoulders.

We openly talked today about the need for changes in the army. Urgent changes.

I offered General Zaluzhnyi to remain part of the team of the Ukrainian state. I would be grateful for his agreement.

Today, I made a decision regarding the renewal of leadership in Ukraine's Armed Forces.

This is not about last names. And even less so about politics. This is about our army’s system, management in Ukraine's Armed Forces and involving the experience of commanders from this war. Every soldier, every sergeant and every officer who sees the front understands what decisions are needed. Much greater technological sophistication of military actions. Rebooting the general staff. Staff at all levels must know and feel the front as soldiers on «zero» do.

Commanders from this war, commanders from «zero» need to implement their unique experience across the entire army — in leadership.

Today, Ukraine's defense forces are almost a million people who were called up for the protection of our state. As of today, most of them have not felt the front as much as those few on the frontline who actually fight.

This means that a different approach is needed, including to rotations. A different approach to managing the front lines. A different approach to mobilization and recruitment.

All this will give greater respect for soldiers and clarity in actions during war.

Dear people!

From today, a new management team takes over the leadership of Ukraine's Armed Forces.

I want to see the same perspective on war both in our soldiers in Robotino or Avdiivka and at General Staff and Headquarters.

Each person is carefully selected whose experience will serve the renewal of military forces.

I have held dozens of conversations with commanders of various levels. Today, for example, I spoke with Brigadier Generals Andriy Hnatov, Mykhailo Drapaty, Ihor Skibyuk and Colonels Pavlo Paliso and Vadym Sukharevskyi.

All of them are considered for high positions in the army and serve under the leadership of one of the most experienced Ukrainian commanders — a combat commander — Lieutenant General Oleksandr Syrskyy. He has successful experience in defense — he led the Kyiv Defense Operation. He also has successful experience in offensive operations — Kharkiv Liberation Operation. I appointed Lieutenant General Syrskyy as Chief Commander of Ukraine's Armed Forces.

Today, I spoke with Generals Moyseyko and Zabrodskyi. Their experience is at the service of the state.

I expect such changes in Ukraine's Armed Forces soon:

• A realistic, detailed plan for actions by Ukraine’s Armed Forces for 2024 should be on the table. Taking into account the real situation on the battlefield now and prospects.
• Each combat brigade on the front line must receive effective Western weapons — there needs to be a fair redistribution of such weapons in favor of the frontline.
• The logistics problems need to be resolved. Avdiivka should not wait for generals to figure out where drones are stuck on their stockpiles.
• Every general must know the front lines. If a general does not know the front, he is not serving Ukraine.
• Excessive and unjustified numbers in staffs need to be corrected.
• A functional rotation system needs to be built in the army. The basis can be taken from individual combat brigades of Ukraine's Armed Forces and units of the State Border Service of Ukraine where such a system exists. Rotations are essential.
• There must be an obvious improvement in soldiers' training — only trained soldiers on the front line.
• A new type of forces — unmanned systems forces — will be created within the military structure. A first commander needs to be appointed.

Chief Commander Syrskyy will present the team for renewing Ukraine's Armed Forces in days to come.

2024 can only be successful for Ukraine under conditions of effective changes at the core of our defense, which is Ukraine’s Armed Forces.

We all are proud of our army. And we must do everything in our power to make the Ukrainian army a winning army.

I thank everyone who believes in Ukraine, fights for Ukraine, works towards our victory and helps — helps Ukraine!

Glory to Ukraine!»