Former 80th Brigade commander Colonel Emil Ishkulov reportedly set to lead corps defending Sloviansk, Kramatorsk
Ishkulov currently serves as deputy commander of the 7th Rapid Response Corps of Ukraine's Air Assault Forces. He is expected to replace Brigadier General Oleksii Maistrenko, who has commanded the 11th Army Corps for around six months, according to Ukrainska Pravda.
Colonel Emil Ishkulov, the former head of Ukraine's 80th Air Assault Brigade, is reportedly set to take charge of the 11th Army Corps, tasked with defending Sloviansk and Kramatorsk in Donetsk Oblast. According to Ukrainska Pravda, this appointment has not been officially confirmed yet. The 11th Corps is currently led by Brigadier General Oleksii Maistrenko, who has been in the position for approximately six months.
Ishkulov, who presently serves as deputy commander of the 7th Rapid Response Corps, is expected to succeed Maistrenko. The decision to replace Maistrenko has not been officially disclosed. Sources within the 11th Corps suggest that Maistrenko's management style did not align with the evolving dynamics of decision-making. Ishkulov's appointment is anticipated to significantly bolster the defense of Sloviansk and Kramatorsk, which are part of Ukraine's fortified northern belt.
A senior military source indicated that Ishkulov's appointment would bolster the two sectors considerably. Ishkulov is also expected to maintain close coordination with Andrii Biletskyi, the commander of the 3rd Army Corps, whose forces are stationed around Lyman in Donetsk Oblast and Borova in Kharkiv Oblast. Ishkulov has a history of commanding various brigades, including the 80th Separate Galician Air Assault Brigade.
In July 2024, officers of this brigade publicly opposed Ishkulov's removal following reports that he refused an order exceeding his unit's capabilities. Ishkulov declined to lead the brigade into Russia prior to the Kursk operation, leading to a disagreement with then-Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi. Soldiers who served under Ishkulov have characterized him as a demanding commander who meticulously planned operations and prioritized the well-being of his troops.
This prospective appointment is viewed as an attempt by newly appointed Commander-in-Chief Mykhailo Drapatyi to restore Ishkulov to a significant operational command. The leadership change comes as Drapatyi oversees a comprehensive review of military personnel management. On July 29, the General Staff announced an investigation into the equitable allocation of personnel across the Armed Forces, aiming to ascertain the actual staffing levels of various military units and identify opportunities to enhance military personnel management.
Written by urgent.news from Kyiv Independent's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
