Zelensky calls for rapid operations changes for soldiers, sacks commander

Zelensky said he had replaced Maj. Gen. Tetiana Ostashchenko as commander of the Armed Forces Medical Forces. (AFP)
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Updated 20 November 2023
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Zelensky calls for rapid operations changes for soldiers, sacks commander

  • Ukraine’s military reports on what it describes as advances in recapturing occupied areas in the east and south

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday demanded rapid changes in the operations of Ukraine’s military and announced the dismissal of the commander of the military’s medical forces.
Zelensky’s move was announced as he met Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, and coincided with debate over the conduct of the 20-month-old war against Russia, with questions over how quickly a counteroffensive in the east and south is proceeding.
“In today’s meeting with Defense Minister Umerov, priorities were set,” Zelensky said in his nightly video address. “There is little time left to wait for results. Quick action is needed for forthcoming changes.”
Zelensky said he had replaced Maj. Gen. Tetiana Ostashchenko as commander of the Armed Forces Medical Forces.
“The task is clear, as has been repeatedly stressed in society, particularly among combat medics, we need a fundamentally new level of medical support for our soldiers,” he said.
This, he said, included a range of issues — better tourniquets, digitalization and better communication.
Umerov acknowledged the change on the Telegram messaging app and set as top priorities digitalization, “tactical medicine” and rotation of servicemen.
Ukraine’s military reports on what it describes as advances in recapturing occupied areas in the east and south and last week acknowledged that troops had taken control of areas on the eastern bank of the Dnipro River in southern Kherson region.
Ukrainian commander in chief General Valery Zaluzhniy, in an essay published this month, said the war was entering a new stage of attrition and Ukraine needed more sophisticated technology to counter the Russian military.
While repeatedly saying advances will take time, Zelensky has denied the war is headed into a stalemate and has called on Kyiv’s Western partners, mainly the United States, to maintain levels of military support.
Ostashchenko was replaced by Maj. Gen. Anatoliy Kazmirchuk, head of a military clinic in Kyiv.
Her dismissal came a week after a Ukrainian news outlet suggested her removal, as well as that of others, was imminent following consultations with paramedics and other officials responsible for providing support to the military.


Six killed in Mississippi, suspect charged with murder

Updated 11 sec ago
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Six killed in Mississippi, suspect charged with murder

  • The victims — family members related to the suspect — were shot at three separate locations
  • One of the victims was a child

MISSISSIPPI: Authorities have charged a 24-year-old man with murder after six people were killed in a series of shootings in northeast Mississippi.
Clay County Sheriff Eddie Scott said the victims — family members related to the suspect — were shot at three separate locations late Friday. One of the victims was a child.
“I don’t know what kind of motive you could have to kill a 7-year-old,” he said at a press conference Saturday.
Sheriff’s Deputy Steven Woodruff identified Daricka M. Moore as the suspect. He faces a first-degree murder charge that could be upgraded to capital murder, Scott said. He may also face additional murder charges.
The shootings took place in the rural community of Cedarbluff, which is west of the county seat of West Point.