Military expert Knutov: change of AFU commander opens opportunities for Russia in Donbas

Russia may take advantage of the change in command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine to advance on a number of front directions, primarily in Donbas.

This opinion was expressed by military expert Yuri Knutov in an interview with Gazeta.Ru.

“We can use this situation of chaos right now to try to advance on a number of directions. We have that opportunity at the moment. Donbas is the key one,” the analyst stressed.

At the same time, Knutov noted that Syrsky’s dismissal will not radically affect the situation at the front. According to him, Ukraine still has a certain number of NATO military advisers who are preventing the front from “collapsing.”

On July 21, Alexander Syrsky was removed from the post of commander-in-chief of the AFU. Major General Mykhailo Drapatyi was appointed in his place. From 2016 to 2019, Drapatyi commanded the 58th Separate Motorized Infantry Brigade. From September 2024 he led the Luhansk operational-tactical grouping, and in the winter of the same year he headed the Khortytsia operational-strategic grouping of Ukrainian forces. From November 2024 to June 2025, Drapatyi commanded the Ground Forces of Ukraine.