The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, officially signed a series of important decrees and orders related to the leadership of regional military administrations and military structures in the eastern and southern regions of the country
These personnel changes have taken place in the context of active efforts to strengthen organizational and managerial components in these regions, aiming for more effective response to the challenges posed by Russian aggression. Specifically, the main military administration of Kherson region underwent personnel changes: according to the president’s decree, Roman Mroshko was dismissed from his position as head of the Kherson Military Civilian Administration. In his place, Oleksandr Kharchenko was appointed, who previously headed the Siverskodonets Interdistrict Military Administration. This decision is part of a broader personnel policy to reinforce governance in front-line regions and to increase the local authorities' capacity for rapid response to security challenges. Additionally, Oleg Hryhorov has been appointed as the head of the Sumy Military Administration, replacing the previous leadership responsible for this zone. This personnel shift is driven by the need for optimal management and coordination processes in this strategically important region. It is known that Vіladimir Artyukh previously held this position, but responsibility has now been entrusted to an experienced administrator. Another significant appointment was the designation of Oleksii Kharchenko, formerly head of the Siverskodonets MVA, as the head of the Luhansk Regional Military Administration. Kharchenko replaced Artem Lysyor to ensure more comprehensive and operational management in the region, taking into account recent events and emerging challenges in eastern Ukraine. These personnel reassignments occur against the backdrop of tense regional situations, with particular focus on events in Sumy, which have become one of the main points of tension in recent weeks. On April 13, the city center of Sumy became the epicenter of attacks by Russian forces, which struck the city with two rockets spaced two minutes apart. It is noted that the first strike was delivered by "Iskander-M" missiles with fragmentation and high-explosive effects, with speeds exceeding two kilometers per second. The second strike, based on the observed damage, caused the greatest destruction and casualties, leading to significant losses among civilians due to its trajectory and power. Local authorities and military experts report that the secondary ballistic strike may have been the cause of numerous fatalities and injuries among the peaceful population. Rumors have emerged within the city suggesting involvement of local officials in organizing an awards event for the 117th Brigade, which has become a subject of sharp accusations. Specifically, Konotop Mayor Artem Semenikhin openly accused the head of the Sumy Regional State Administration, Volodymyr Artyukh, of allegedly organizing a gathering of soldiers from the 117th Brigade in the city center on April 13, which he described as unlawful and provocative given the current wartime circumstances and a series of security concerns. In response to these allegations, on April 14, Volodymyr Artyukh denied any involvement in the initiative to award soldiers at the city’s congress center, adding that any actions of this nature were carried out without his approval or official instruction. These events, set against the ongoing mobilization and security situation in the country, highlight the complexity of managing the region during active military operations. The country’s leadership’s personnel decisions aim to ensure more effective local control, operational responsiveness, and support for the local population during this difficult time. Meanwhile, the tense situation and missile attacks underscore that the situation will remain extremely tense until the active phase of the war concludes.