Ukrainian president replaces top commander of military operation in Donbas

KIEV -- Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has replaced the top commander of the Joint Forces Operation (JFO), Ukrainian government's military operation in the country's eastern region of Donbas, the presidential press service said on Monday.

Lieutenant-General Oleksandr Syrskyi took charge of the JFO, replacing Lieutenant-General Serhiy Nayev, the press service cited a presidential decree as saying.

The presidential administration gave no reasons behind the replacement, but Interfax-Ukraine news agency, which cited sources in the army, said it happened due to the rotation of military officers.

In April 2014, armed groups seized the cities and villages in Donbas and declared independence from Kiev. The Ukrainian government launched the "anti-terror" operation (ATO) against the insurgents.

In April 2018, the government replaced the ATO, which was ruled by the State Security Service, with the army-led JFO.