Zelenskyj replaces the head of the special operations forces – the nightly update of the Baltic Sea ferry “Marco Polo” towed into the Swedish port

In the midst of the defensive battle against Russia, the Ukrainian government has replaced the commander of the military special operations forces. It is the second change in this position since the start of the war in February 2022. President Volodymyr Zelenskyj appointed Colonel Serhiy Lupanchuk as his successor on Friday. Meanwhile, Russia has deported a Bulgarian journalist after the EU member state expelled a Russian press representative on suspicion of espionage. In a Russian-controlled city in southern Ukraine, occupiers reported numerous casualties after a rocket attack for which they blamed the Ukrainian side.

Zelensky appoints new head of Ukrainian special forces

Zelensky appointed the new head of the army’s special operations forces by presidential decree. In his evening video speech, he later described Lupantschuk as an experienced officer with combat experience who could make the special forces more efficient. According to Zelensky, the previous commander, General Viktor Horenko, was assigned special tasks in the HUR military intelligence service. He had held the position since the end of July 2022. Horenko told the Ukrainska Pravda news portal that he learned of his resignation through the media. The reasons are unknown to him.

Russian Foreign Ministry deports Bulgarian journalist

The Russian Foreign Ministry has revoked the accreditation of a correspondent for Bulgarian state radio and expelled him from the country. The action against Angel Grigorov is a direct response to the previous expulsion of a Russian press representative from Bulgaria for alleged espionage, the ministry said on Friday.

On Wednesday, the correspondent of the Russian government newspaper “Rossiyskaya Gazeta”, Aleksandr Gazak, who was accredited in Sofia, had to leave Bulgaria. Bulgarian security authorities accuse him of endangering the national security of the NATO member state. The Foreign Ministry in Moscow immediately threatened countermeasures – and has now stated its willingness to consider Grigorov’s return to work if the Bulgarian government reverses its decision on Gazak.

Dead and injured after Ukrainian rocket attack

Several people are said to have been killed in a Ukrainian missile attack in the Russian-occupied part of the southern Ukrainian region of Kherson. Russian state media said on Friday evening, citing the occupation authorities, that at least nine people had been killed and as many injured. Photos showed a destroyed local job center building. According to the information, Ukrainian forces fired six rockets, four of which were intercepted. The information could not be independently verified.

The affected town of Chaplynka is located more than 50 kilometers behind the front line. The settlement with almost 10,000 inhabitants was occupied immediately after the Russian invasion began more than twenty months ago.

What will be important on Saturday

The Ukrainian counter-offensive continues in the south and east of the country. However, having so far failed to meet the expectations of Western supporting countries, military experts currently see the defenders as trapped in trench warfare against Russia. (sda/dpa)