Ukraine’s Western Operational Command introduces new commander

General Volodymyr Shvediuk has been appointed as the new commander of the Ukrainian military’s Western Operational Command, the command reported on April 15.

The Western Operational Command is an operational unit of Ukraine’s Ground Forces responsible for eight western regions — Volyn, Zakarpattia, Ivano-Frankivsk, Lviv, Rivne, Ternopil, Khmelnytskyi and Chernivtsi.

"I aspire to make our command a model of military excellence and tactical prowess. Together, we will strengthen our defense capabilities and demonstrate an unwavering commitment to the defense of our country," Shvediuk said after his appointment, as cited by the command’s press service.

Since March 2022, Shvediuk has served as the commander of the headquarters of one of the troop groups in Ukraine’s east. He previously was a deputy commander of Ukraine’s Territorial Defense Forces.

Shvediuk took part in Ukraine’s Anti-Terrorist Operation against Russian-backed militants in the country’s east. From 2018 to 2019, he was the commander of the 59th Separate Motorized Infantry Brigade.

General Serhii Litvinov served as the previous commander of the Western Operational Command since 2021.

Intense fighting, lack of resources leave wounded soldiers on their own

Editor’s note: The Kyiv Independent is not disclosing the full names of the soldiers introduced in the story, as they didn’t have a formal authorization to speak to the press. DONETSK OBLAST – Mykhailo arrived at a dugout less than an hour after it was hit by Russian drones.

The Kyiv IndependentAsami Terajima