Updated

Major General Viktor Nikoliuk is stepping down after five months as commander of Ukraine's Operational Command Skhid (East), citing defensive gains achieved on the Oleksandrivka, Kostiantynivka, and Donetsk fronts during his tenure. The change in command comes amid ongoing heavy fighting across the eastern front. No successor was immediately named in initial reporting. The leadership change occurs as Ukrainian forces continue to contest territory in the Donetsk region, including areas where Kyiv recently revealed a months-long counteroffensive near Lyman.