Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has decided to appoint Mykhailo Drapatyi as the country's new commander-in-chief of the armed forces as part of a broader overhaul of the military's leadership.
Zelenskyy said on Telegram he had discussed changes to the structure of the General Staff with Drapatyi, acting Defence Minister Yevhen Khmara and Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Pavlo Palisa.
He praised outgoing commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrskyi for what he described as Ukraine's achievements in the defence of Kiev, the Kharkiv counteroffensive, and the Kursk operation.
"It is a fact that Oleksandr Syrskyi delivered results for Ukraine in the defence of Kiev, the Kharkiv offensive operation, and the Kursk operation," Zelenskyy said.
"A significant path has been travelled, Ukraine's defence continues, and every soldier deserves proper respect."
Transition and formal decisions
Zelenskyy said he had also discussed with Syrskyi and Chief of the General Staff Andriy Hnatov the transition process and their future roles.
Zelenskyy added that the appointments and related decisions would be formalised on Tuesday.
"Ukraine must emerge from this situation stronger, and it must become more difficult for Russia," he stated.
Drapatyi, a major general, held several senior battlefield commands during the conflict.
Before being tapped to lead the armed forces, he served as commander of Ukraine's ground forces and previously commanded the Kharkiv Operational and Tactical Grouping.
He has also led units in eastern Ukraine and was widely associated with Ukraine's 2024 incursion into Russia's Kursk region.
Earlier this month, Zelenskyy appointed him commander of the Joint Forces as part of a broader reshuffle of the military leadership.
