Drapaty Has Been Appointed the New Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine — Statement by Zelenskyy
21 July 22:45
In an evening address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced a change in the leadership of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Mykhailo Drapatiy has been appointed the new Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, replacing Oleksandr Syrskyi in this position. The head of state announced that the personnel decisions would be formalized in the coming days, according to "Komersant Ukrainian".
According to the president, the decision regarding the new leadership of the Ukrainian army has already been made.
“I have decided that Mykhailo Drapatiy will become the new Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine,” Zelenskyy stated.
The president also noted that he has already discussed the future structure of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine with Mykhailo Drapatiy, Yevhen Khmara, and Pavlo Palisa.
According to the head of state, the restructuring is intended to enhance the effectiveness of the Ukrainian army’s command and control in the context of a full-scale war.
Syrskyi Will Hand Over Duties to the New Leadership
Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked Oleksandr Syrskyi for his service and emphasized that it was under his leadership that Ukraine achieved significant military successes.
The president mentioned:
- the defense of Kyiv;
- the Kharkiv offensive;
- the Kursk operation;
- the consolidation of Ukrainian troops’ positions on the front lines.
“I am grateful to Oleksandr Syrskyi and to each of our soldiers for Ukraine’s strong positions on the front lines,” Zelenskyy said.
The head of state reported that he had already held a separate conversation with Oleksandr Syrskyi and Andriy Hnatov regarding the handover of responsibilities and the future formats of their service.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine is set for an overhaul
According to the president, the main directions for reforming the General Staff have already been determined in consultation with the future commander-in-chief.
Details of the upcoming changes have not yet been disclosed, but Zelenskyy emphasized that the new structure is intended to make Ukraine’s military command even more effective.
When the decision will take effect
The president announced that all personnel decisions will be formalized in the near future.
“We will formalize all decisions tomorrow. Ukraine must emerge stronger from this situation, and it will be more difficult for Russia,” Zelenskyy said.
Once the relevant decrees are signed, the personnel changes in the leadership of the Armed Forces of Ukraine are expected to be officially formalized.
Zelenskyy explained the purpose of the personnel changes
The President emphasized that the main goal of the military leadership reshuffle remains achieving victory for Ukraine and creating conditions to compel Russia to accept a just peace.
According to the head of state, all decisions are aimed at strengthening the country’s defense capabilities, improving the effectiveness of military command, and supporting Ukrainian defenders.
What is known about Mykhailo Drapatyi
Mykhailo Drapatyi is the former commander of the 2nd Mechanized Battalion of the 72nd Mechanized Brigade. In 2014, under Mykhailo Drapatyi’s command, the brigade entered Mariupol to reinforce Ukrainian units and free hostages. Drapaty himself led a breakthrough in an infantry fighting vehicle through an enemy checkpoint, which became one of the symbols of the city’s liberation. He also participated in a raid along the border with Russia, the defense of Savur-Mohyla, and the breakout from the “Izvarin Cauldron.”
Afterward, Mykhailo Drapatiy served as chief of staff of the 30th Separate Mechanized Brigade in the ATO zone. In 2016, he became commander of the 58th Separate Motorized Infantry Brigade.
In 2019, Drapatiy was promoted to colonel ahead of schedule, and in October 2024, he became a major general. Until January 2024, he commanded the “Kherson” Operational-Tactical Group, overseeing the de-occupation of the right bank of the Kherson region. In February of that same year, he was appointed Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine for Military Training, and on May 11, he took command of the Kharkiv Operational-Tactical Group.
On November 29, 2024, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the appointment of Mykhailo Drapatyi as Commander of the Ukrainian Armed Forces Ground Forces.
On June 1, 2025, Mykhailo Drapatyi submitted his resignation from the post of Commander of the Ukrainian Armed Forces Ground Forces. The major general explained his decision by stating that he felt responsible for “the tragedy at the 239th training ground, which resulted in the deaths of our soldiers.” This referred to a Russian missile strike on the location of one of the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ Army training units.
On October 20, 2025, it was announced that the Ukrainian Defense Forces had established a new Joint Forces Group (JFG). It will be commanded almost entirely by the Joint Forces Command (JFC), which will be headed by Mykhailo Drapatiy.
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