Key facts
- Mykhailo Drapatyi appointed Ukraine's commander-in-chief on July 20.
- The appointment followed widespread protests against former commander Oleksandr Syrskyi.
- Drapatyi is respected for his leadership and emphasis on military reform.
- Drapatyi previously commanded Joint Forces and the Ground Forces.
- Drapatyi played a role in key defensive and liberation operations during the war.
Mykhailo Drapatyi has been appointed as Ukraine's new Commander-in-Chief, replacing Oleksandr Syrskyi, following widespread protests and growing criticism of Syrskyi's leadership. The announcement came on July 21, after President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed Syrskyi amidst public discontent that began with the ousting of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov.
Drapatyi, a 43-year-old major general, is respected by military commanders for his effective leadership and emphasis on reform. He expressed gratitude for the appointment, calling it a new stage of service and pledging to lead with responsibility. Drapatyi also credited Syrskyi with contributing to his military career.
Syrskyi had faced increasing criticism from younger officers for his top-down, Soviet-era command style, which reportedly involved micromanagement and disregard for human cost. In contrast, Drapatyi has consistently stressed the importance of commanders taking responsibility and learning from mistakes. He supported Fedorov's efforts to reform military rules and promote faster decision-making.
Drapatyi previously commanded the Joint Forces, overseeing the front line in Kharkiv Oblast, where Ukrainian units liberated territory. He also led the Dnipro operational-strategic group before its disbandment. Earlier in the full-scale war, he commanded the Ground Forces, which he described as being in a state of "management stagnation" due to issues like fear, lack of initiative, and a disconnect between headquarters and units.
His military career includes commanding a battalion in the 72nd Mechanized Brigade in 2014, where a BMP from his unit famously broke through Russian-backed barricades in Mariupol. During the full-scale invasion in 2022, Drapatyi, as deputy commander of Operational Group South, was instrumental in stopping the Russian advance toward Kryvyi Rih and played a role in the liberation of Kherson. His organization of the response to a 2024 Russian offensive in Kharkiv also garnered significant recognition.