Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has appointed Denys Prokopenko and Andriy Biletsky as commanders of two reorganized military formations in the Donetsk region, announcing the appointments during a visit to the front line.

The new formations are intended to strengthen Ukrainian positions in the region. Zelensky also presented Biletsky with the Order of the Gold Star, awarded to recipients of the title Hero of Ukraine. Prokopenko has also received the award.

Following talks with commanders on the Zaporizhzhia front, Zelensky announced measures to increase the production and procurement of protective equipment and ground-based robotic systems. He also said Ukraine would take a more systematic approach to medium-range strikes and announced personnel changes.

Zelensky also held a security meeting in Zaporizhzhia to discuss the situation in the city and the wider region, as well as the sections of the front on which its security depends.

On 17 August, after receiving a briefing on the fighting, Zelensky said personnel decisions were being prepared to strengthen defenses on the most intense sections of the front.

(ukrinform, bak)