New Ukrainian commander vows wider operations against Russia
Mykhailo Drapatyi said Ukraine would expand offensive action as Kyiv and Moscow traded claims of new strikes on ships, depots and warehouses.
By Sofia Marchetti · World Affairs Correspondent
3 min read
Ukraine’s newly appointed armed forces commander, Mykhailo Drapatyi, pledged to expand attacks against Russia, including operations behind Russian lines. The statement signals Kyiv’s intent to keep military pressure on Moscow as both sides intensify strikes on infrastructure and logistics.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy named Drapatyi commander of Ukraine’s armed forces on Wednesday, according to Al Jazeera, AP and Reuters. In a Facebook post, Drapatyi said Ukrainian forces would “continue and intensify offensive operations in all domains.”
He also cautioned against expectations of quick results. “Difficult work lies ahead, so we will proceed without loud promises, with responsibility for our decisions and respect for the people who are holding the front line and helping Ukraine endure,” Drapatyi wrote.
Ukraine points to battlefield gains and strikes
Drapatyi takes over as Kyiv says it has regained 700 square kilometres, or 270 square miles, of territory this year, Al Jazeera reported. The change in command also comes during a period of expanding long-range attacks by both Ukraine and Russia.
On Wednesday, Ukrainian strikes hit warehouses in southern Russia belonging to online retailer Wildberries for the second time this week, according to Al Jazeera. Tatyana Kim, the company’s boss, said several people were injured.
Zelenskyy said Ukrainian drones had struck logistics hubs in the area that he described as involved in supplying the Russian military, without naming Wildberries. He also said Ukrainian attacks hit an oil depot, a tanker and four cargo ships from what he called Russia’s “shadow fleet” in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov.
Moscow reports attacks and claims new advances
Russia’s Ministry of Defence said its forces carried out several attacks on Ukraine on Wednesday, including strikes on cargo vessels and storage sites. The ministry said Russian forces targeted a dry-cargo ship unloading at Chornomorsk port, a military cargo store, and fuel and lubricant storage tanks.
The Russian ministry also said its attacks hit loading and storage facilities in Odesa, a cargo ship and a bulk carrier it said were carrying cargo to Odesa for Ukraine’s military, and three warehouses storing drones.
Moscow also claimed battlefield gains. The Defence Ministry said Russian forces had captured Artilne in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region and Blahodatne in the Zaporizhzhia region.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said he did not expect Drapatyi’s appointment to alter the frontline situation, according to Al Jazeera.
Air defence and diplomacy
Both countries have stepped up air attacks in recent months, while Russia has increased its use of ballistic missiles, Al Jazeera reported. Ukraine has struggled to intercept those missiles amid shortages of Patriot air defence systems.
Zelenskyy said Wednesday he discussed licences for Patriot production with Matthew Whitaker, the visiting United States ambassador to NATO. Zelenskyy described additional Patriot interceptors as a “critical priority.”
US-led efforts to end Russia’s invasion have been stalled for months, according to Al Jazeera. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said he would meet US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday in Manila during the ASEAN gathering of Southeast Asian foreign ministers.
Rubio confirmed the planned meeting and said he would look for a chance to restart Ukraine peace talks. He said the United States remains open to helping end the conflict “if that opportunity presents itself.”
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.