Ukraine’s new military chief pledges to escalate retaliation against Russia

What the report says

Al Jazeera reports that Ukraine’s newly appointed armed forces commander, Mykhailo Drapatyi, has pledged to broaden offensive actions against Russia, including operations behind Russian lines. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appointed Drapatyi on Wednesday, and the new chief said Ukraine would increase operations across multiple domains while avoiding what he described as “loud promises.”

The leadership change comes as Kyiv says it has regained about 700 square kilometres of territory this year and as both Ukraine and Russia step up strikes on infrastructure and logistics targets. Al Jazeera, citing officials and company statements, reported that Ukrainian attacks hit warehouses in southern Russia linked to online retailer Wildberries for a second time this week, with injuries reported by company head Tatyana Kim. Zelenskyy said Ukrainian drones struck logistics hubs used to supply Russia’s military, but did not identify the retailer.

Russia’s Defence Ministry, meanwhile, said it attacked Ukrainian cargo ships, storage sites, fuel facilities and drone warehouses around Chornomorsk and Odesa. It also claimed Russian forces captured Artilne in Kharkiv region and Blahodatne in Zaporizhzhia region. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Drapatyi’s appointment was unlikely to alter the frontline situation.

The military developments come ahead of a planned meeting between Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Manila during ASEAN-related talks. Rubio said he would assess whether there is a chance to restart Ukraine peace efforts. Al Jazeera noted that US-led diplomacy has been stalled, while Zelenskyy continues to press for more Patriot air defence systems and discussed possible production licences with US Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker.