On 16 June 2026, during a military ceremony held at the barracks “Jane Sandanski” in Shtip, the Change of Command of the Second Infantry Battalion (2nd InfBn), within the First Infantry Brigade (1st InfBde), was conducted through the ceremonial transfer of the battalion’s flag.
Lieutenant Colonel Risto Stoev assumed the position Commander of the 2nd InfBn from Lieutenant Colonel Zoran Sumrachki. Prior to this appointment, Lt. Col. Stoev served in the Operations Command (OC).
In his address, the Commander of the 1st InfBde, Brigadier General Dejan Chiplakovski, stated: “It is an honor to be a battalion commander in the Army, but the honor of commanding the 2nd InfBn is an achievement of added value and a privilege. The Second Infantry Battalion is the core of the Light Infantry Battalion Group, a NATO-declared unit and the Army’s highest-priority capability target. It recently reaffirmed its status as ‘combat ready to carry out its mission’ in accordance with NATO Allied Joint Force Command standards for the evaluation of land commands and units”.
The incoming commander, Lieutenant Colonel Risto Stoev, expressed his gratitude for the trust placed in him to perform this responsible duty and emphasized that he would continue to work with dedication. His focus will be on training aimed at maintaining the achieved level of readiness and fulfilling the accepted NATO capability targets.
The ceremony was attended by the Commander of the Operations Command, Brigadier General Mirche Gjorgoski, retired generals, representatives of the Operations Command, former commanders of the unit, commanders of subordinate units within the 1st Infantry Brigade, mayors and representatives of local self-government authorities from the unit’s area of responsibility, representatives of public institutions, and other guests.
During the ceremony, to order for promoting Lieutenant Colonel Sumrachki to the rank of Colonel was also read. Personnel of the 2nd InfBn presented him with a commemorative gift and a plaque bearing a dedication and the unit’s emblem.
