Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (second from right) and Oleksandr Syrsky (right), then commander of Ukraine's Ground Forces and now commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, look at a map during their visit to the front-line city of Kupiansk, Kharkiv region, Ukraine, Nov 30, 2023. (PHOTO / AP)

KYIV - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Thursday he had appointed Colonel-General Oleksandr Syrsky as the commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, replacing Valery Zaluzhny.

"Starting today, a new management team will take over the leadership of the Ukrainian Armed Forces," Zelensky said in a Telegram post.

Describing Syrsky as "the most experienced Ukrainian commander", Zelensky said he had a successful defensive experience during the operation to defend kyiv.

Ukraine and Russia have carried out 51 prisoner exchanges since March 2022. A total of 3,135 Ukrainians taken captive in the Russia-Ukraine conflict have been released under those exchanges

Besides, Syrsky had a successful offensive experience during the operation to take back the eastern Kharkiv region from the Russian forces, Zelensky added.

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The 58-year-old Syrsky once served as the commander of the Ukrainian Ground Forces between 2019 and 2024.

Also on Thursday, a total of 100 Ukrainian service people returned home under a fresh prisoner swap with Russia, the Coordinating Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War said.

Among those freed were more than 80 troops who fought for the city of Mariupol and the Azovstal steel plant.

Besides, the soldiers who participated in the combat in the Donetsk and the Luhansk directions were released under the swap.

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At least 28 of those freed suffer from serious illnesses or have severe injuries.

Ukraine and Russia have carried out 51 prisoner exchanges since March 2022.

A total of 3,135 Ukrainians taken captive in the Russia-Ukraine conflict have been released under those exchanges.