Defense Minister of Ukraine Rustem Umerov has expressed gratitude to Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) Valeriy Zaluzhny for all his achievements and announced the decision to change the leadership of the AFU.

"War changes and demands change. Battles 2022, 2023 and 2024 are three different realities. 2024 will bring new changes for which we must be ready. New approaches, new strategies are needed. Today, a decision was made on the need to change the leadership of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. I am sincerely grateful to Valeriy Fedorovych for all his achievements and victories. Glory to Ukraine," he said on Facebook on Thursday.

General Zaluzhny had one of the most difficult tasks – to lead the Armed Forces of Ukraine during the Great War with Russia, the minister said.

"The Armed Forces of Ukraine, together with the entire People of our country, demonstrated to the whole world that Ukraine will fight for its own land and for its own people, regardless of the enemy it is dealing with. Our soldiers repelled the onslaught of the aggressor, defended our statehood, and continue to defend our independence every day. But war does not remain the same," Umerov said.