New commander-in-chief Drapatyi: I will work with respect for people defending Ukraine
Mykhailo Drapatyi, appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on 21 July, has said he will carry out his duties with respect for the people defending Ukraine.
Source: Drapatyi on Faсebook
Quote: "I thank the president of Ukraine for his trust, the minister of defence for his support and the defence forces for this new stage of my service.
Serving Ukraine has always been an honour for me, and during a war for independence it means absolute responsibility.
I am grateful to Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, for his consistent work in strengthening the Ukrainian military. I grew up professionally under his command.
I will work responsibly, with focus and with respect for the people who are defending our country today.
Glory to the nation. Death to enemies."
Background:
- Protests were held in Kyiv and other cities on 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 and 21 July, with demonstrators demanding that Fedorov be reinstated as defence minister and that Oleksandr Syrskyi be dismissed as commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
- Zelenskyy acknowledged that Fedorov and Syrskyi had been unable to find common ground and that problems on the battlefield, within brigades and with mobilisation remained unresolved.
- On 18 July, the president said he had spoken with Fedorov and Syrskyi. He promised that "decisions regarding the army will be worked out".
- On 20 July, Syrskyi apologised to Fedorov and said he had not realised there was a conflict between them.
- Following six days of protests, Zelenskyy announced his decision to dismiss Syrskyi as commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and appoint Mykhailo Drapatyi to replace him.
For reference:
- Drapatyi took part in the liberation of occupied Mariupol in 2014. Under his command, Ukrainian infantry fighting vehicles broke through Russian checkpoints in the occupied city on 9 May. Drapatyi himself was aboard the first vehicle to break through the barricades.
- In March 2022, he led the defence of Kryvyi Rih, where Ukrainian forces succeeded in halting the Russian advance and stabilising the line of contact. He later commanded the Kherson Operational Group and was among the commanders who oversaw the liberation of the western bank of Kherson Oblast.
- In February 2024, Drapatyi was appointed Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. In May, during the Russian offensive in northern Kharkiv Oblast, he also became commander of the Kharkiv Operational and Tactical Group, replacing Yurii Halushkin. At the end of January 2025, he was additionally appointed commander of the Khortytsia Operational Strategic Group while continuing to serve as Commander of the Ground Forces.
- In November 2025, Drapatyi became Commander of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
- On 1 June 2025, Russian forces launched a missile strike on the location of one of the training units of the Ground Forces, killing at least 12 people and injuring more than 60.
- Later that day, Drapatyi submitted his resignation following the tragedy, saying that, as commander, he had failed to fully ensure the implementation of his orders.
- He later said he would remain in service after speaking with President Zelenskyy, who assigned him new responsibilities.
- On 3 June, Zelenskyy appointed Drapatyi Commander of the Joint Forces.
- In October 2025, Ukraine's defence forces established a new Joint Forces Grouping, headed by Major General Mykhailo Drapatyi. He had previously commanded the Khortytsia and Dnipro Operational Strategic Groups. The move significantly reduced the scope of his authority and responsibilities.
Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon to help us keep reporting!