Results 02/08: Zaluzhny’s resignation and US aid

The Minister of Defense Rustem Umerov announced a decision about the need to change the leadership of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. According to him, the war in Ukraine is constantly changing and requires new approaches and strategies. Before this, President Vladimir Zelensky held a meeting with the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valery Zaluzhny and discussed what kind of updating the Armed Forces of Ukraine needed. Zelensky noted that he invited Zaluzhny to continue with the team. In turn, Valery Zaluzhny wrote in Telegram that “tasks for 2022 are different from tasks for 2024.” “Therefore, everyone must change and also adapt to the new realities. To win as well, together. The moment we met the Supreme Commander. An important and serious conversation. A decision was made on the need to change strategies and strategy,” he wrote. Zelensky subsequently announced that he had appointed Colonel General Alexander Syrsky, who previously commanded the Ground Forces, as the new commander-in-chief.

Ukraine returned another 100 defenders from Russian captivity, many of whom had been in captivity for nearly two years. Among the rescued military personnel this time are 49 soldiers of the National Guard of Ukraine, 25 border guards, 26 military personnel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, including 11 terrorist fighters. All were released – privates and sergeants. 84 soldiers defended Mariupol (including 82 defenders of Azovstal), the rest carried out combat missions in the direction of Donetsk and Lugansk. At least 28 of those released were wounded or seriously ill. The oldest is 62 years old, and the youngest is 20.

Ukrainian military personnel have revealed that the Russian invaders now have Starlink licensed accounts. This was reported by Ukrainian war correspondent Andrey Tsaplienko. The journalist showed a screenshot from the social network X, where the military reported that Starlink “began to be supplied in bulk” to the Russians via Dubai. They also confirmed that they are already seeing this type of communication satellite from the Russian interventionists at the front.

In the war on February 7, Vladislav Rykov, an Air Force pilot of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, who had 385 combat missions, died. The death of a serviceman was reported by the tactical aviation brigade named Lieutenant General Vasily Nikiforov.

In the city of Nikopol, Dnepropetrovsk region, an unknown person shot at the car of the deputy mayor of Nikopol. The officer died on the spot. The police identified the signs of the attacker. Currently, material evidence is being collected and analyzed, and operational search activities are underway to apprehend the suspect. The entire police force in the region is focused on searching for the suspect.

On February 7, the Ukrainian military destroyed a Russian Ka-52 attack helicopter in the direction of Avdiivka. This was announced by the commander of the operational-strategic group of Tavria troops, Alexander Tarnavsky. According to him, the enemy Alligator with its crew was hit by MANPADS.

Ukraine has begun detailed negotiations with Denmark on the conclusion of bilateral security obligations. This was reported by the Office of the President. “The negotiations began as part of the implementation of the G7 Joint Declaration on Support for Ukraine, in which Denmark, together with the Nordic countries, was one of the first to join,” the statement said. As you know, Ukraine is currently negotiating security agreements with several countries. Among them are the USA, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and others.

A decision was made to disband the special forces of the GUNP regime in the Dnepropetrovsk region, where the special forces had previously refused to join the Lyut assault brigade. This was announced by the Deputy Chairman of the National Police, Alexander Fatsevich. According to Fatsevich, since the beginning of a large-scale war, policemen from various services, including special forces, have stood up for the defense and defense of Ukraine. Therefore, it was decided to dissolve the special purpose regime of the GUNP in the Dnepropetrovsk region; transfer all the special forces of the regiment to the assault brigade of the National Police Lieut in accordance with Art. 65 of the Law of Ukraine On the National Police of Ukraine. “People who refuse, police officers, will be fired and given summonses,” Fatsevich added.

The UK and Ukraine have extended duty-free trade in most goods for another five years, until 2029. It is clear that the new agreement provides for the extension of duty-free trade in all goods except eggs and chicken, the validity period of zero duties will be extended by two years. The provisional duty-free agreement, signed in May 2022, is set to expire on March 31, 2024.