Zelensky sacks officer accused of killing more Ukrainian soldiers than any Russian general
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has sacked a senior general amid accusations of excessive casualties.
Lieutenant General Yuri Sodol, who had been the commander of the Joint Forces of Ukraine's Armed Forces, was replaced by Brigadier General Andriy Hnatov.
Mr Zelensky announced the dismissal following a complaint from Azov Brigade chief Major Bohdan Krotevych to the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), alleging that Gen Sodol had had "more Ukrainian soldiers killed than any Russian general".
The President said he made the decision after discussing personnel issues within the Armed Forces of Ukraine with the Commander-in-Chief, the Chief of the General Staff and the Minister of Defence.
He did not give a reason for the dismissal, however, the night before, Maj Krotevych, the head of Ukraine's controversial yet influential Azov Battalion, criticised an unnamed general on Telegram accusing him of losing regions, dozens of cities and thousands of soldiers.
Without directly naming Lt Gen Sodol, Maj Krotevych's post said: "Sometimes I think the world sends us scumbags to bring us together.
"And all the military now understand what kind of person I'm talking about, because 99% of the military hate him for what he does."
Maj Krotevych said he would always be ashamed that he did not take a stance earlier and stressed that this was his personal decision and he was ready to face the backlash from speaking out.
"I don't care if they start an investigation against me and I don't care if they put me in jail," he said.
The Ukrainian military has been through several top brass reshuffles, as the Russian army has slowly advanced in eastern Ukraine.
Gen Sodol was made commander of the Joint Forces in February 2024, as Valeriy Zaluzhnyi was dismissed after public differences with President Zelensky over the conduct of the war.
Gen Zaluzhnyi was replaced by Oleksandr Syrskyy as commander-in-chief of the armed forces.
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