Zelenskyy awarded a new rank to Emil Ishkulov, commander of the 11th Corps
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy promoted Emil Ishkulov, commander of the 11th Army Corps, to the rank of brigadier general. The head of state signed the corresponding decree No. 984/2026 on September 30. The corps, under Ishkulov’s command, is carrying out combat missions in the Sloviansk and Kramatorsk sectors of Donetsk Oblast.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has promoted Emil Ishkulov, commander of the 11th Army Corps of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, to the rank of brigadier general. The corresponding decree No. 984/2026 was published on September 30 on the president’s website. The document states that the new rank was awarded to Colonel Emil Shamilovich Ishkulov, who commands the 11th Army Corps of the “East” Operational Command of the Ukrainian Ground Forces.
The decree consists of a single clause: “To confer the military rank of brigadier general upon Colonel Emil Shamilovich Ishkulov—commander of the 11th Army Corps of the ‘East’ Operational Command of the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ Ground Forces,” the document reads.
Responsibilities of the 11th Army Corps
The 11th Army Corps carries out combat missions in the Sloviansk and Kramatorsk sectors. The corps assumed command of forces in this sector of the front in July 2025 as part of the Armed Forces of Ukraine’s transition to a corps-based system. Its composition includes, in particular, the 24th, 30th, 54th, and 56th Mechanized Brigades, the 127th Separate Heavy Mechanized Brigade, the 45th Artillery Brigade, as well as unmanned systems and reconnaissance units.
The corps notes that its units are operating in one of the key sectors of the Donbas front. Among the settlements and areas where the corps has carried out missions are Bilohorivka, Verkhniokamianka, Orikhovo-Vasylivka, Chasiv Yar, Kurdyumivka, and Toretsk.
Who Is Emil Ishkulov
Emil Ishkulov is a career officer in the Airborne Assault Forces. His military career is closely tied to the Ukrainian Airborne Forces. In 2014, after the start of Russian aggression, Ishkulov commanded a reconnaissance platoon of the 25th Separate Sicheslav Airborne Brigade. He later became commander of a parachute-assault battalion. He also served in the 81st and 80th Airborne Assault Brigades.
From 2022 to 2024, Ishkulov commanded the 80th Separate Airborne Assault Brigade. Under his command, the unit carried out missions in the Bakhmut sector, among other areas. In 2023, the 80th Brigade took part in the battles for Klishchiivka. In 2024, the Airborne Forces command described Ishkulov as an experienced combat officer who had served at every major command level in the Ukrainian Airborne Forces. They also noted that he is a full Knight of the Order of Bohdan Khmelnytsky.
Prior to his appointment as commander of the 11th Army Corps, Ishkulov also served as deputy commander of the 7th Corps of the Airborne Assault Forces. He now commands the army corps responsible for defense in the Sloviansk and Kramatorsk sectors. His promotion to the rank of brigadier general means that Ishkulov continues his service as a general. The decision was formalized by Presidential Decree No. 984/2026 dated September 30. This information is contained in Presidential Decree No. 984/2026 issued by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
