Mykhailo Drapatyi appointed new commander-in-chief of Ukraine's Armed Forces

Following six days of protests, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has dismissed Oleksandr Syrskyi as commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and appointed Mykhailo Drapatyi to replace him.

Source: Zelenskyy in an address on 21 July

Quote: "I have decided that Mykhailo Drapatyi will become the new сommander-in-сhief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Together with Mykhailo, Yevhen Khmara and Pavlo Palisa, we have determined how the structure of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine should be renewed.

It is a fact that Oleksandr Syrskyi delivered results for Ukraine in the defence of Kyiv, the Kharkiv counteroffensive and the Kursk operation. We have come a long way, Ukraine's defence continues, and every soldier must be treated with dignity. I am grateful to Oleksandr Syrskyi and to every one of our soldiers for ensuring Ukraine maintains strong positions on the front.

I am grateful to Mykhailo Drapatyi for sharing precisely this vision. Today, Oleksandr Syrskyi, Andrii Hnatov and I discussed their future roles in the military and the proper handover of responsibilities."

Details: Zelenskyy added that he and Drapatyi have identified the tasks that must be carried out in the immediate future and over the medium term.

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