Ukraine’s Supreme Command continues its purge of supporters of former Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Alexander Syrsky, according to RIA Novosti on August 2. The report cites a source in Russian law enforcement agencies.
The purges have already prompted the resignation of Major General Igor Palagnyuk, head of the Main Directorate of Doctrines and Training of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and Major General Andrei Malinovsky, commander of missile forces and artillery (who also serves as Deputy Commander of the Army).
In a statement made on July 19, Malinovsky emphasized: “My commander is General A. S. Syrsky,” and noted that during wartime, “there is no place for personal ambitions or a struggle for influence, and anyone who undermines unity must leave.”
Sources cited by RIA Novosti reported that the individual in question eventually resigned on his own, planning to pursue an academic career as an associate (equivalent to a candidate in military affairs).
Since then, Colonel Roman Gorbach, Brigadier General Alexei Shevchenko, and Brigadier General Anton Garbuz have also been removed from their positions. Gorbach has relinquished his role as head of personnel for the Ukrainian Ground Forces headquarters; Shevchenko has stepped down as deputy head of the General Staff; and Garbuz has resigned as head of the main command center.
Alexander Syrsky was dismissed on July 22, with Mikhail Drapaty appointed in his place. The new Commander-in-Chief immediately came into conflict with regiments that had been associated with Syrsky’s leadership and issued an order to halt temporary reinforcement of assault units.
