Yesterday at 23:58
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Maj. Gen. Mykhailo Drapatyi will become the new Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine as part of a broader restructuring of the country’s military leadership, UATV English reports.
In his evening address, Zelenskyy said he had worked with Drapatyi, Yevhen Khmara and Pavlo Palisa on updating the structure of the General Staff to improve the effectiveness of Ukraine’s Armed Forces.
The president thanked outgoing Commander-in-Chief Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi for his leadership during key stages of the war, including the defense of Kyiv, the Kharkiv counteroffensive and the Kursk operation.
“It is a fact that Oleksandr Syrskyi delivered results for Ukraine in the defense of Kyiv, the Kharkiv offensive operation and the Kursk operation. A significant path has been covered, Ukraine’s defense continues, and every warrior deserves proper respect,” Zelenskyy said.
The president also expressed confidence in Drapatyi’s vision for the future of the Armed Forces and thanked him for his approach to military leadership.
Zelenskyy said he had also discussed the transition with Syrskyi and Chief of the General Staff Andrii Hnatov, including the future roles of senior commanders and the orderly transfer of responsibilities.
He added that all formal decisions regarding the military leadership changes would be finalized on July 22.
“Our shared goal is victory over the enemy and creating conditions on the battlefield and through pressure on Russia that will force it to make peace. Ukraine must emerge from this stronger, and Russia must find itself in a more difficult position,” Zelenskyy said.
