Viktor Nikoluk has stepped down as commander of the Eastern Region
Major General Viktor Nikoluk has completed his term as commander of the “East” Troop Group. He stated that he had handed over to his successor a fully combat-ready troop group that had been carrying out missions across five sectors of the front.
Major General Viktor Nikoluk has stepped down as commander of the “East” Troop Group. Under Nikoluk’s command, the group’s units carried out operations in the Sloviansk, Kramatorsk, Kostyantynivka, Ocheretine, and Pokrovsk sectors. According to the general, when he took command of this sector in April 2026, the situation was difficult. Russian troops were already conducting offensive operations and attempting to penetrate the gaps between Ukrainian positions.
Nikolyuk explained that Ukrainian forces were reinforcing their engineering barriers and holding their positions. He noted that the joint efforts of corps and brigade commanders helped repel the Russian offensive in the Oleksandrivka sector. The general also mentioned the situation near Kostiantynivka. He stated that Ukrainian forces managed to prevent Russian troops from capturing the city.
In the Sloviansk and Kramatorsk sectors, according to Nikoluk, they managed to establish a multi-layered defense and reinforce the units holding the front line. “I can say with confidence that my successor has been handed a fully combat-ready force capable of steadfastly conducting active defensive operations,” Nikoluk wrote. The general did not specify who exactly would be his successor. Nor did Nikoluk specify where he would continue his service. At the same time, according to “Novynarnia,” the “East” Troop Group is currently undergoing reorganization. In its place, two new temporary command structures are being created—the “Center” Troop Group and the “Azov” Troop Group. They are headed by Brigadier Generals Andriy Biletsky and Denys Prokopenko, respectively.
What Is Known About Viktor Nikoluk
Viktor Nikoluk has many years of service in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He commanded a reconnaissance company, a tank battalion, and a mechanized regiment at the “Desna” Training Center. He also served as chief of staff of the 93rd Separate Mechanized Brigade and commander of the 92nd Mechanized Brigade. In March 2017, Nikoluk took command of the 169th “Desna” Training Center. In December 2018, he was promoted to the rank of major general.
From October 2021 to March 2023, he commanded the “North” Operational Command. Nikolyuk was in Konotop when Russia launched its full-scale invasion. In the early days of the war, he commanded the Defense Forces in the Chernihiv region and participated in combat operations. In March 2022, Viktor Nikoluk was awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine. In March 2023, he took command of the Training Command of the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ Ground Forces, and in March 2024, he stepped down from that position.
In 2025, Nikoluk served as part of the “Donetsk” operational-tactical group of forces. After the Ukrainian Armed Forces transitioned to a corps structure, he took command of the 20th Army Corps. In April 2026, Nikoluk became commander of the “East” Operational Command. Prior to him, Brigadier General Dmytro Bratishko held this position. Nikolyuk has now stepped down from command of the group. According to him, his future assignments will be determined by higher military leadership. The officer announced this on Facebook on September 17.
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The enemy attacked a passenger bus in the Kosmichny district of Zaporizhzhia using an FPV drone. At the time of the attack, there were people inside the bus who were traveling on their daily errands.
