The war caused significant damage to the infrastructure in Kharkiv, the second largest city in Ukraine (Al Jazeera archives)

Ukrainian officials reported that Russian drones attacked several targets in Kharkiv and Odessa late on Friday evening, while the Kremlin expressed its belief that changing the commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces would not affect the outcome of what it calls a “special military operation” in Ukraine.

Reuters quoted the governor of Kharkiv, Oleh Sinyhopov, as saying that the drones destroyed civilian infrastructure in one of the areas of the city, which is the second largest city in Ukraine. It also quoted a military official in Kharkiv, saying that the drones destroyed a hospital and a restaurant.

In the Black Sea coastal city of Odessa, the regional governor said that a drone attack resulted in at least one person being injured.

Reuters reported that three people were killed earlier yesterday, Friday, as a result of the bombing of a village in the Ukrainian region of Sumy, located on the border with Russia, and which is subject to daily Russian attacks.

Developing war strategy

For his part, the new commander of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, General Oleksandr Sirsky, said that Ukraine's path to victory in its war with Russia is linked to developing its method of action in the war, especially in the field of technological elements such as drones and electronic warfare.

Sersky pledged to work to ensure that the blood of Ukrainian fighters is spared and to ensure the provision of logistical services to them.

On the other hand, the Kremlin said that it believes that changing the Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces will not affect the outcome of what Russia calls the “special military operation” in Ukraine.

Last Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the dismissal of Ukrainian Army Commander Valery Zalogny and the appointment of Ground Forces Commander Oleksandr Sirsky in his place, at a time when Russian forces have the upper hand nearly two years after the start of the war.

Zelensky described the new commander as "the most experienced general in Ukraine," noting that he led the defense of the capital, Kiev, at the beginning of the war, then the counterattack in the fall of 2022, "which led to the liberation of the Kharkiv region."

Zalogny's replacement came after months of disagreements between Zelensky and the army chief, whom many Ukrainians consider a national hero.

“As of today, a new management team takes over the leadership of the Armed Forces of Ukraine,” Zelensky said in a statement.

Sersky, commander of the ground forces, takes command amidst great uncertainty; Kiev is awaiting vital military aid from the United States, which is still under consideration by the US Congress.

Delayed American aid

Yesterday, Friday, US President Joe Biden and German Chancellor Olaf Schulz called on the US Congress to release new aid to Ukraine, without any guarantee that their call would bear fruit.

Biden said, "The failure of the US Congress to help Ukraine is almost criminal negligence," and described the delay in aid as a scandal.

Biden has been seeking for months to approve an additional $60 billion in aid to Ukraine, in light of the cessation of aid since the end of last December.

For his part, Schultz, who is visiting the United States, warned that “if the US Congress fails to find a solution to release financial aid, this is a real threat to the integrity of Ukrainian territory.”

The German Chancellor urged the US Congress to provide urgent financial assistance to Ukraine, warning that failure to provide this assistance would make the situation “extremely complicated” for Kiev.

Source: French + Reuters