Zelensky appointed a new commander of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

President Volodymyr Zelensky has appointed Brigadier General Sviatoslav Zaiets as commander of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. By another decree, the head of state dismissed Major General Hennadii Shapovalov from this position.

Zelensky signed the relevant decrees No. 853/2026 and No. 852/2026 on September 2.

Hennadii Shapovalov had headed the Ground Forces since June 2025. The reasons for his dismissal were not specified in the presidential decree.

What is known about Sviatoslav Zaiets

Sviatoslav Zaiets comes from the Air Assault Forces. In 2014, he commanded a reconnaissance company of the 25th Airborne Brigade, which was stationed in Crimea at the beginning of the Russian occupation of the peninsula.

After the Ukrainian unit was blocked by Russian troops, Zaiets led the personnel to the mainland part of Ukraine. Subsequently, he took part in combat operations in Donbas.

Later, Zaiets served as chief of staff - deputy commander of the 8th Corps of the Air Assault Forces.

In April 2026, he took command of the 20th Army Corps, and in May he received the military rank of brigadier general. According to ArmyInform, during his command of the corps, Zaiets paid significant attention to the digitalization of the command system and the development of the use of unmanned systems.

Zaiets will now head the Ground Forces - the largest branch of the Armed Forces of Ukraine by personnel.

Based on materials from: Office of the President of Ukraine, Office of the President of Ukraine, ArmyInform