Zelensky appointed the commander of the Ground Forces to lead the "Khortytsia" Joint Task Force.

Major General Mikhail Drapaty has been appointed to lead the operational and strategic group of troops "Khortytsia" in the Donetsk region. He will retain his position as the commander of the Ground Forces.

This was announced by the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, as reported by RBK-Ukraine referencing his evening address.

"Today, I instructed to strengthen the command staff of our troops in the Donetsk region - Major General Mikhail Drapaty has been assigned to lead the operational and strategic grouping of troops 'Khortytsia'. These are the most intense areas of combat," the president stated.

At the same time, Zelensky emphasized that Drapaty will maintain his authority as the commander of the Ground Forces, which is the largest component of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

"And this will help combine the combat operations of the army with the proper training of brigades. It is the frontline needs that should determine the standards for staffing and training brigades," the head of state concluded.

Fighting in the Donetsk Region

We remind you that this evening Russian media circulated news claiming that the Russian army allegedly captured Velyka Novosilka in the Donetsk region.

However, the spokesperson for the operational and strategic group "Khortytsia," Viktor Trehubov, denied the loss of the settlement. According to him, fighting is still ongoing, and there are Ukrainian troops and positions present. Moreover, he noted that the Armed Forces of Ukraine are not surrounded, as this has been avoided.

Earlier, RBK-Ukraine reported that as of 16:00 on January 26, 99 combat engagements were recorded on the front. The most intense fighting continued in the Kramatorsk, Osman, and Pokrovsk directions. In the latter, the enemy attempted 38 attacks, 30 of which the Armed Forces of Ukraine repelled by that time.