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.
