Key facts
- Major General Mykhailo Drapatyi has been appointed Ukraine's new commander-in-chief.
- He replaces Oleksandr Syrskyi, the third commander since Russia's full-scale invasion.
- Drapatyi is known for his combat experience dating back to 2014, including in Mariupol.
- He has a reputation for being a humane and strong military leader.
- Soldiers express optimism that Drapatyi will modernize the military and improve morale.
- Drapatyi has pledged to work responsibly and with respect for front-line soldiers.
Major General Mykhailo Drapatyi, 43, has been appointed Ukraine's new commander-in-chief, replacing Oleksandr Syrskyi. This marks the third change in military leadership since Russia's full-scale invasion began in 2022. Drapatyi's nomination has been met with approval from both civil society and the military, with soldiers expressing strong support and viewing him as a "humane and strong" leader capable of modernizing the armed forces. His military career began in 2004 after graduating from the Kharkiv Institute of Tank Troops, and he gained prominence in 2014 for his combat role in Mariupol and for withdrawing encircled units from the Luhansk region. During Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, Drapatyi served as deputy commander of joint forces, leading operations that pushed back Russian troops and liberated settlements in the Kherson and Dnipropetrovsk regions. He later took personal responsibility and resigned after a missile strike killed 12 soldiers and wounded 60 others, a move that was widely praised and led to his appointment as commander of the Joint Forces. Analysts note that while Drapatyi has significant leverage, he will operate under constraints, balancing various governmental bodies, military suppliers, and reliance on Western partners. Key priorities for his tenure include mobilizing manpower, tackling corruption within the army, and leveraging Ukraine's technological advancements in defense. Many anticipate a shift from Syrskyi's previous fighting methods, with a greater emphasis on human life. Despite predictions of a difficult path ahead, there is tangible excitement among soldiers and the public for the new direction Drapatyi represents.