Ukrainian President Viktor Yuschenko has signed a decree appointing Col. Gen. Ivan Svida chief of staff and commander of the Ukrainian armed forces, the Dzerkalo Tyzhnia weekly reported on Saturday.
Before the appointment, Svida served as the Ground Forces commander. Col. Gen. Hennadiy Vorobyov, a former first deputy chief of staff, has been appointed to replace Svida as the Ground Forces commander.
Svida takes over from Serhiy Kyrychenko who tendered his resignation as chief of staff of the Ukrainian armed forces in early October.
A source with the Ukrainian General Staff confirmed to Interfax that Yuschenko had signed a decree accepting Kyrychenko’s resignation and another confirming the appointment of Svida to the position on Friday.
Kyrychenko has not yet officially handed over his duties to Svida, after which the latter will be able to start performing his new duties, the source said.
