Zelensky Formally Replaces Logistics Forces Commander Karpenko, Appoints Pohribnyi

President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a decree on Monday, Aug. 17, formally ousting Volodymyr Karpenko from his post as commander of the Logistics Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) and replacing him with Yurii Pohribnyi. The decrees were published under No. 730/2026 and No. 731/2026 on the official presidential website, without stating a reason for the ouster.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. Change announced weeks earlier The formal decree comes almost three weeks after Ukrainian media outlet Mezha first reported the leadership change on July 30, when Commander-in-Chief Mykhailo Drapatyi removed Karpenko from his post, temporarily assigning his duties to Pohribnyi. The personnel shuffle was first made public by lawmaker Mariana Bezuhla, with sources within the General Staff of the AFU later confirming the change, according to Mezha. Karpenko’s tenure was allegedly associated with a number of problems in the military supply chain, particularly about the delivery of resources, such as food and equipment, to the frontline areas, alongside the security of logistics routes and the repair of weapons. According to Mezha citing Bezuhla, Karpenko was also accused of corruption and shielding a relative from scrutiny. However, she provided no evidence for these claims and the Kyiv Post did not verify these allegations independently. Karpenko has been widely regarded as close to former Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrsky. Karpenko had headed the Land Forces’ logistics unit since 2021, while Syrsky commanded the Land Forces, before being appointed commander of the Logistic Forces of the AFU in February 2024. Other Topics of Interest Russia to Free Up Manpower by Replacing Border Troops With North Korean Soldiers, Ukraine Says The statement coincides with recent assertions that Russia is delaying its mobilization drive despite high battlefield attrition. Successor’s military career Yurii Pohribnyi, who had served as acting commander since late July, was born in the Sumy region and graduated in 2007 from the Sumy Military Institute of Rocket Forces and Artillery, Mezha reported. He served with the 55th Separate Artillery Brigade, rising from platoon commander to deputy division commander. With the same brigade, he began combat service in 2014 during liberating operations in Sloviansk, Kramatorsk, Lyman and other frontline cities. In 2020, Pohribnyi took command of the 532nd Separate Repair and Restoration Regiment. According to Mezha, he completed operational-strategic-level training at the National Defense University in 2024, after which he was appointed chief of armaments for Operational Command “East.” Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization, reporting since 1995. Its international reach – 97% of readers are outside of Ukraine – make it truly Ukraine’s global voice.