Who will be Ukraine's next Commander-in-Chief in 2026?

The reshuffle in the Ukrainian Armed Forces' leadership does not guarantee Volodymyr Zelenskyy a reduction in tensions in the Ukrainian army, writes the Neue Zürcher Zeitung newspaper. Following the resignation of Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, rallies and protests against former Ukrainian Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyy have begun in Kyiv and other cities. The newspaper also notes that commanders who were in Syrskyy's entourage should prepare for a change of posts. "Changes in the army's leadership do not guarantee that tensions in the troops will disappear. At least in the first phase, an internal settling of scores should be expected. Zelenskyy is currently politically weakened," the publication states. In turn, the NYT reported on the upcoming "serious tests" for the new Ukrainian Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Mykhailo Drapatoy. The article states that he will have to try to resolve issues with the TCC system and interaction between the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, including the implementation of new technologies. Meanwhile, rallies continue unabated amid the resignations of the entire Ukrainian government. The country's cities are filled with activists. According to local media, the protesters' main demand is the return of former Ukrainian Defense Minister Fedorov to the ministry's leadership. As a reminder, on July 14, the Verkhovna Rada dismissed Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko and the entire Ukrainian government, including Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. Following this, local residents demanded that the country's leadership reconsider personnel decisions. Later, amid mass rallies, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi was dismissed. The new commander-in-chief is Mykhailo Drapatiy, who previously held the position of commander of the joint forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. More news from IZ RU in MAX

Since the participants of the cardboard Maidan began chanting in the squares of Ukrainian cities not only "for the return of Fedorov", but also "for the resignation of Syrsky", the most discussed question in society has become - will there be changes in the leadership of the army? President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has maintained the intrigue for several days. Although he reported on social media about the casting process for the commander-in-chief (i.e., meetings with brigade commanders, commanders, commanders and their deputies). Five candidates were on the final shortlist – the commander of the combined forces Mykhailo Drapatiy, the commander of the airborne assault forces Oleh Apostol, and the corps commanders Andriy Biletsky, Denys Prokopenko, and Ihor Obolensky. Almost midnight on July 21, Zelensky finally broke the silence: "I have determined that the new commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine will be Mykhailo Drapatiy." "Ukrainian Pravda" investigated how the military feels about Drapatiy's appointment as commander-in-chief, what kind of team he is bringing with him, what expectations the military and society have from rotations in the army leadership, and whether there will be a place for the former Minister of Defense in this story Fedorova: subscribe

Since the participants of the cardboard Maidan began chanting in the squares of Ukrainian cities not only "for the return of Fedorov", but also "for the resignation of Syrsky", the most discussed question in society has become - will there be changes in the leadership of the army? President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has maintained the intrigue for several days. Although he reported on social media about the casting process for the commander-in-chief (i.e., meetings with brigade commanders, commanders, commanders and their deputies). Five candidates were on the final shortlist – the commander of the combined forces Mykhailo Drapatiy, the commander of the airborne assault forces Oleh Apostol, and the corps commanders Andriy Biletsky, Denys Prokopenko, and Ihor Obolensky. Almost midnight on July 21, Zelensky finally broke the silence: "I have determined that the new commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine will be Mykhailo Drapatiy." "Ukrainian Pravda" investigated how the military feels about Drapatiy's appointment as commander-in-chief, what kind of team he is bringing with him, what expectations the military and society have from rotations in the army leadership, and whether there will be a place for the former Minister of Defense in this story Fedorova: subscribe

Today, the new Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Mykhailo Drapatyi, officially assumed his duties – the changes have already taken place. Together with Mykhailo and Yevhenii Khmara, we determined that Ihor Skybiuk will become the new Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine – that decision has also already been made. These are battle-tested, experienced men. The troops know them – Drapatyi, Khmara, and Skybiuk. We agreed that the modernization of Ukraine's Defense Forces will be developed. It is essential that everything proceeds in full coordination and that the Russians are not given a single opening or opportunity. Russia must feel growing pressure and tougher sanctions: our long-range sanctions, our mid-range strikes, and our strong positions on the front. All of this will be delivered. Today, I'd like to take a moment to thank everyone in Ukraine – every servicemember and every civilian – for the trust they have placed in our new military leadership. It is important that this trust translates into stronger motivation for our defenders, and it is important that our guys stay strong and live up to the trust that society has shown them. We are giving them every tool they need.

On July 21, Zelensky dismissed Syrsky from the post of Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and appointed Major General Mykhailo Drapaty to this position. The decision was made against the backdrop of six days of “cardboard protests” in Kyiv and other cities. Drapaty became famous in 2014 during the defense of Mariupol. Later, he withdrew troops from the Izvarynsk Cauldron, commanded the 58th Brigade near Avdiivka, and participated in the defense of the south and the stabilization of the situation in the Kharkiv region. Before being appointed Commander-in-Chief, he headed the Joint Forces Group. The most critical moment in his career was his resignation from the post of Commander-in-Chief of the Ground Forces after two Russian strikes on a training ground in the Dnipropetrovsk region. At least 12 soldiers were killed and another 60 were injured. At the same time, the military publicly supported Drapaty. Even before the appointment of Mykhailo Drapaty, Suspilne turned to people who served, worked, or fought under his leadership or with him. Read what we managed to learn about the youngest commander-in-chief in the history of Ukraine in the material.

Who is Mykhailo Drapatyi, Ukraine's new commander-in-chief?

FWD from IZ.RU • IMPORTANT: What will the resignation of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi mean for the Kyiv regime? What happened? On July 22, Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a decree on the resignation of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi. Along with him, the Chief of the General Staff Andriy Gnatov also lost his post, and Major General Igor Skibyuk was appointed in his place. The new Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine is Major General Mykhailo Drapatiy, who held the position of Commander of the Joint Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He is 43 years old and has been in military service since 2004. In 2014, he took part in hostilities in Donbas. In May of that year, he became famous for breaking through the barricades and checkpoints of the militia in an infantry fighting vehicle in Mariupol. What will happen next? The change of commander-in-chief occurred against the backdrop of a political crisis in Ukraine. In mid-July, Zelenskyy dismissed the country's Prime Minister, Yulia Svyrydenko. All ministers automatically lost their positions. In Ukraine, it was believed that the personnel changes were necessary to remove the popular Defense Minister, Mykhailo Fedorov. The official was credited with increasing drone production. He was also close to pro-Western grant structures, and his activities were widely covered in the media. However, Fedorov was still dismissed, a decision he did not agree with. Furthermore, the military man criticized Zelenskyy and spoke about a conflict with Syrskyy. According to him, the commander-in-chief had stalled many initiatives, hindered the development of unmanned systems, and made personnel decisions based on loyalty rather than effectiveness. At the same time, Fedorov, according to Ukrainian media reports, expressed his willingness to work with Drapaty. The latter also supported Fedorov in the current conflict. What do the experts say? Former Verkhovna Rada deputy Spiridon Kilinkarov says that Zelensky's situation has sharply worsened since Syrsky's dismissal. "Zelensky's opponents are not only considering replacing Syrsky, but also Fedorov's return to the post of Defense Minister. Accordingly, we can expect a new escalation in Ukraine in mid-August, when the Verkhovna Rada convenes after a break and considers this issue," he explains. Subscribe to IMPORTANT | More news here

"Thank you to General Oleksandr Syrsky for your service," — Biletsky The Commander of the Third Army Corps, Andriy Biletsky, reacted to the change of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He expressed his gratitude to Oleksandr Syrsky and wished Major General Mykhailo Drapatom success in his position. There is a lot of work ahead. We are working for the victory of Ukraine, — Biletsky said. Add News.LIVE as a source of reliable news in Google

Posts against Zelensky were published by Drapaty's wife in 2019. "Let's shit up Ukraine together" "It's true that Ukraine is a poor country and many Ukrainians are barely making ends meet. It's not true that Zelensky can quickly change this" The publication also said that Zelensky doesn't know the Ukrainian language, doesn't believe in God, didn't serve in the army, and doesn't keep his promises. The wife of the new commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has already managed to clean up some of the posts, but apparently, there were a lot of them on her page. [in reply to: The appointment of Drapaty instead of Syrsky was the culmination of Zelensky's large-scale crisis, NBC notes. The Guardian newspaper wrote that the post should be filled by a person who will not pose a political threat to Zelensky. Some facts about the new commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine: Wanted in Russia. Previously, the Investigative Committee brought charges in absentia against Drapatoy. Under his leadership, Ukrainian militants carried out more than 70 shellings of populated areas of the DPR and LPR, killing and wounding 154 people. He took charge of the Ground Forces in November 2024, replacing Alexander Pavlyuk. In June 2025, he resigned amid scandal after a series of attacks on training centers, effectively accusing commanders of not respecting the lives of military personnel. He also spoke of "mutual responsibility and impunity" in the Ukrainian Armed Forces. However, Drapatoy was not dismissed from the army. On June 3, 2025, after a conversation with Zelenskyy, he was appointed commander of the Joint Forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Also, on October 20, 2025, he became commander of the force group responsible for the Kharkiv region. ]

Zelensky signed a decree appointing Drapaty as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky signed a decree appointing Mykhailo Drapaty as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The corresponding decree No. 630/2026 was published on the president's website on Wednesday.... #commander-in-chief #drapaty #decree #zelensky @interfax_uk

FWD from IZ.RU • IMPORTANT: How did the world media react to the dismissal of Alexander Syrsky from the post of commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine? Bloomberg: Zelenskyy removes Syrsky from his post as army commander-in-chief Ukrainian Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrsky was dismissed following mass protests demanding his resignation. Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced yesterday that Major General Mykhailo Drapatiy would take his place. The protests were sparked by Zelenskyy's dismissal last week of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, who had been locked in a power struggle with the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. "We've come a long way, Ukraine's defense continues, and every soldier must be treated with dignity," Zelenskyy said in a Telegram post, commenting on Syrskyy's dismissal. Zelensky praised Syrsky for his contribution. He also promised changes to the "military staff configuration," without providing details. Fedorov was offered a "respectable position" to promote the development of Ukrainian technology. CNN: Zelensky fired the commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian army after mass protests Syrsky's successor, 43-year-old Mykhailo Drapatiy, is a younger general who is often hailed as representing a new generation of military leaders. Syrsky, 60, was born in the Vladimir region of Russia, then part of the Soviet Union, and attended a Moscow military academy with classmates who later became Russian commanders. Some critics described him as unimaginative but capable, and he was criticized for protracting the defense of Bakhmut (Artemovsk – Ed.) at great cost in human lives. Associated Press: The new commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces earned his reputation in 2014. Drapatiy is known for his exceptional discipline and high combat effectiveness, and is often deployed to stabilize critical sectors of the front. He rarely appears in public, but has nevertheless earned popularity within the army. "His reputation was formed in 2014 . In May , as a major commanding a battalion of the 72nd Brigade, he led an armored column into the center of Mariupol . When the column's path was blocked by a barricade more than a meter high, Drapatiy, riding in the lead vehicle, ordered the driver to accelerate, and the vehicle leaped over the barrier, as if driving off a ramp. This moment, captured on a widely circulated video, is considered one of the most remarkable episodes of the early period of resistance." The Washington Post: Zelenskyy ousts Ukrainian Armed Forces commander amid ongoing major changes These personnel changes exposed a sharp generational divide among senior leaders just as the Ukrainian armed forces appeared to be gaining a combat advantage over Russia. The dismissal of the defense minister sparked mass protests in Kyiv and other cities. Demonstrators said they feared the move could undermine Ukraine's military efforts and called for his reinstatement. Drapaty supported the ousted defense minister. In recent days, Zelenskyy has come under increasing pressure from lawmakers and protesters to fire Syrskyy. Reuters: Who is Mykhailo Drapatiy, the new commander of the Ukrainian army? During his 26 years of military service, Drapatiy rose through the ranks from lieutenant to combat commander of Ukraine. Last week, he stated that the Ukrainian army needs change and new rules. "As commander of the ground forces, Drapatiy attempted to implement reforms and modernize recruitment and training systems. He then said he wanted to support initiative and flexibility among front-line troops, viewing this as a strength, unlike some other Soviet-trained generals in the Ukrainian army." Subscribe to IMPORTANT | More news here

Decrees appointing Drapaty as Commander-in-Chief and Skybyuk as Chief of the General Staff have been published on the President's website. "To appoint Mykhailo Vasylovich Drapaty as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine," reads decree No. 630/202.

Major General Mykhailo Drapaty announced that he had assumed the duties of Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. According to him, Zelensky set a number of clear tasks for the new military leadership. In particular, this concerns the continuation and intensification of offensive actions in all domains, planning new operations in the rear of Russian troops, developing the army and introducing technologies, as well as increasing the capabilities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. [in reply to: In Russia, after the appointment of Mykhailo Drapaty to the position of Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, they reminded that he is on the wanted list of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs. This was reported by the Russian state agency TASS. The card states that he is wanted under a criminal article, but its number and content are not specified. Information about the search for Drapaty appeared back in September 2023. Then, together with him, Viktor Nikolyuk was declared wanted in the Russian Federation. Previously, the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation in absentia charged Drapatom and Nikoliuk with crimes related to the actions of the Ukrainian military in 2017 and 2019 in Donbas.]

Mykhailo Drapatyi assumed the role of commander-in-chief of Ukraine’s armed forces Wednesday while Ihor Skybiuk began work as chief of the General Staff. • • Western defence officials told @FT they were happy with the new appointment. • •

Drapaty officially assumed the duties of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine He confirmed that Major General Ihor Skybyuk, the former commander of the Airborne Assault Forces, will become the Chief of the General Staff in his command. According to Drapaty, they met in 2022 during the operation to liberate the Kherson region, and since then he has known Skybyuk as a commander who can be trusted in the most difficult circumstances. Drapaty also stated that the president has set the new command the task of strengthening offensive operations, planning new operations behind enemy lines, developing the army, and increasing the capabilities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. [in reply to: Commander of the "flying infantry fighting vehicle": what is known about the new Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Mykhailo Drapatyi President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that the new Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine will be Mykhailo Drapatyi, a major general who rose from a battalion commander to one of the key commanders of the Ukrainian army. At the beginning of the Russian aggression in 2014, Drapatyi commanded the 2nd battalion of the 72nd Motorized Rifle Brigade. It was then that the famous video of the "flying BMP" that broke through the barricade of pro-Russian militants in Mariupol appeared. In the summer of 2014, he withdrew 260 soldiers and more than 30 pieces of equipment from the Izvarynsk Cauldron, covering more than 160 km under enemy fire. Later, he commanded the 58th Separate Motorized Infantry Brigade, carried out combat missions in the Avdiivka area and the Bakhmut highway. In 2021, he received the Queen's Transitional Sword as the best graduate of the National Defense University of Ukraine. During the full-scale war, he led the "South", "Kherson", "Kharkiv" OTU, as well as the "Luhansk" operational-tactical group. In November 2024, he was appointed commander Land Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and after his resignation in June 2025, he headed the Joint Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Now Mykhailo Drapaty will lead the Armed Forces of Ukraine as the new Commander-in-Chief. Add News.LIVE as a reliable news source on Google]

New army chief appointed: Zelenskyy completes generational change

We determined the sequence of the next steps. Today, the decisions on the changes in the leadership of the Armed Forces of Ukraine will be formalized – the relevant decrees are in preparation. Together with Mykhailo Drapatyi and Yevhenii Khmara, we determined that Major General Ihor Skybiuk will become the new Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He is a highly experienced officer who defended Ukraine shoulder to shoulder with the new Commander-in-Chief. It is important that all components of our Armed Forces continue to function in complete coordination. We also determined together how Oleksandr Syrskyi and Andrii Hnatov will continue serving in the defense of our country. • • We discussed the organizational decisions that need to be implemented, including the development of Ukraine's cyber forces, the training of our warriors, strengthening the capabilities of our units, and further developing the corps system. A practical, effective mobilization process was identified as a priority for ensuring the Armed Forces of Ukraine have the real ability to carry out their defense missions. I thanked Ukraine's Defense Forces for delivering on our plan of long-range sanctions against Russia, as well as for their consistency in executing our mid-strikes. Yevhenii Khmara is addressing the supply issues related to deep strikes and mid-strikes that were discussed over the past few days with combat commanders and weapons manufacturers. • • We reviewed the current situation and the implementation of our defense objectives in the Oleksandrivka direction, in the Donetsk region, and in other areas of intense fighting. I thank all Ukrainian units for their strength and for the successful execution of these operations. We determined the steps, decisions, and appointments that should accelerate the implementation of key initiatives to strengthen our air defense – our FREYJA anti-ballistic program, our work with the United States on licenses to produce Patriots, as well as our cooperation with European partners on the agreed joint programs. • • I thank Oleksandr Syrskyi and Andrii Hnatov! I wish Mykhailo Drapatyi and Ihor Skybiuk good luck in battle, victories for Ukraine, and success in striking the Russian occupiers! Glory to the Armed Forces of Ukraine! Glory to Ukraine!

As Supreme Commander-in-Chief, the President has made an extremely important personnel decision to renew the leadership of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Right now, our top priority is the command and control of our forces and complete focus on the front, because the enemy takes no pauses in this war. • • General Oleksandr Syrskyi, my sincere gratitude for your years of the hardest work, for your resilience, and for your dedication to Ukraine. You have done an extraordinary amount for Ukraine's defense. This includes defense of Kyiv, the Kharkiv operation, the most difficult sectors of the front — and ultimately taking command of the Armed Forces at one of the most critical moments of the war. • • We worked together on those operations with the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine, which I led, and I witnessed that work firsthand. • • I have known Mykhailo Drapatyi for a long time. He is a commander with real battlefield instincts who assesses the situation with a clear head, makes decisions quickly, and protects his people. The army trusts him, and that trust has been earned in combat. Mykhailo Vasylovych, major tasks lie ahead, and you have everything it takes to accomplish them. • • The army is strong, and its leadership is in reliable hands. We know what we stand for, and we know where we are headed. Our resilience is the path to victory. • • You can count on my full support and assistance. Our strength lies in our unity and in the responsibility of each of us.

Fedorov commented on the decision to appoint Drapaty as the Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine: "A voice of change that could not be ignored" Mykhailo Fedorov also called General Oleksandr Syrsky and thanked him for the defense of the Kyiv region, the Kharkiv operation and other historic battles. Now, he emphasized, the high expectations of Ukrainians must be justified by a clear vision of the end of the War of Independence, a strong command and decisive actions. Subscribe to Ukrinform | Facebook | X | YouTube

The appointment of Drapatyi to replace Syrskyi was the culmination of Zelenskyy's large-scale crisis, NBC notes. The Guardian newspaper wrote that the post should be filled by a person who would not pose a political threat to Zelenskyy. Some facts about the new commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces: Wanted in Russia. Previously, the Investigative Committee filed charges against Drapatoy in absentia. Under his leadership, Ukrainian militants carried out more than 70 shelling attacks on populated areas of the DPR and LPR, killing and wounding 154 people. He took charge of the Ground Forces in November 2024, replacing Oleksandr Pavlyuk. In June 2025, he resigned amid scandal after a series of attacks on training centers, effectively accusing commanders of not respecting the lives of soldiers. He also spoke of "mutual responsibility and impunity" in the Ukrainian Armed Forces. However, Drapatoy was not dismissed from the army. On June 3, 2025, after a conversation with Zelenskyy, he was appointed Commander of the Joint Forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Also, from October 20, 2025, he became the commander of the group of forces responsible for the Kharkiv region. [in reply to: Oleksandr Syrsky was removed from the post of commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Zelenskyy announced. The head of the Kyiv regime thanked Syrskyy for Ukraine's front-line positions. "Oleksandr Syrskyy ensured Ukraine's results in the defense of Kyiv, in the Kharkiv offensive operation, in the Kursk operation," said Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Mykhailo Drapatiy has been appointed the new commander-in-chief. The composition of the General Staff of the Ukrainian troops will also be updated. ]

It will be much harder for the new Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine than he imagines, — Zaluzhny This is how the former Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (2021–2024) and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the United Kingdom Valery Zaluzhny commented on the change in the leadership of the Armed Forces. At the same time, Ambassador Valery Zaluzhny did not mention Oleksandr Syrsky in his post. Add News.LIVE as a source of reliable news in Google [in reply to: Drapatiy reacted to the appointment of the new Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Mykhailo Drapatiy thanked the President of Ukraine for the trust after the decision to appoint him as the new Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. I thank the President of Ukraine for the trust, the Minister of Defense for the support, and the Defense Forces for the new stage of service. Serving Ukraine has always been an honor for me, and during the war for independence it meant absolute responsibility, — Drapatiy wrote. He also expressed his gratitude to General Oleksandr Syrsky. I am grateful to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrsky for his consistent work to strengthen the Ukrainian army. I grew up in it. The newly appointed Commander-in-Chief added that he will work "responsibly, focused and with respect for the people who are defending our state today." Add News.LIVE as a source of reliable news in Google]

FWD from SYRSKIY: Warriors. Ukrainians. Today I am leaving the post of Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Before I hand over command, I would like to say a few words. For every officer, this is the greatest responsibility - to lead an army during a great war. I have seen this war from its first day in 2014, I lived at the front and I know the price of every liberated kilometer of Ukrainian land. In February-March 2022, I had the honor of commanding the defense of Kyiv, and through our joint efforts, the capital held out. That same spring, the threat of a full siege of Kharkiv was lifted. Then there was the offensive in the Kharkiv region, when in a matter of weeks we liberated Balaklia, Izyum, and Kupyansk. Later, in the Donetsk region, we destroyed the most combat-ready part of the Russian army - the Wagner PMC. I took command of the army in February 2024, at a very difficult time. The defense of Avdiivka was ongoing. Our units were semi-encircled. One of my first orders in office was to order an organized withdrawal from the city. It was a difficult decision. But I made it because for me there was one main priority: saving people's lives. And then there was a year that changed the course of this war. Together we stopped the enemy's offensive in the Kharkiv region. We prevented his offensive in the Sumy region. And we carried out the Kursk operation - for the first time in this war, we moved combat operations to enemy territory. I want this to be recorded clearly: our goal was never the occupation of foreign land. Our goal was to disrupt the enemy's prepared offensive on Sumy and Kharkiv, to draw away his most combat-ready troops, and to replenish the exchange fund in order to return our people from captivity. All of this was accomplished. We changed the army not only on the battlefield, but also at its core. We were the first in the world to create a separate branch of the armed forces — the Unmanned Systems Forces. We grew them from individual units to a system that today makes the enemy feel that he has no safe rear. We built a new air defense: we created a separate command of unmanned air defense systems, formed regular units of interceptor drone crews, and built an echeloned system of covering the sky over the rear. What was recently an experiment of enthusiasts today knocks down every night what was considered unassailable. We closed the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk, and are systematically destroying the enemy's "shadow fleet." We transferred the army to a corps structure, brought combat officers into headquarters, and made it a rule: the path to leadership positions lies through the front. Liberating Ukrainian territories, we conducted a successful Dobropil operation and an offensive operation in the Oleksandrivka direction. We continue to restrain the enemy's offensive in the main directions and conduct offensive operations in separate sections of the front. I have no right to speak about some of the operations that we have implemented over the years. History will tell about them. I will only say: the enemy remembered them. And about the most important thing - in what condition I hand over the battlefield. This year, under my command, 700 square kilometers of our land have been liberated. The army, which two years ago waged a heavy defense, is advancing today. I am handing over to my successor an army that is not only on the defensive, but also on the offensive — with initiative, with structure, with people who know how to beat the enemy. And I sincerely hope that this offensive will be continued. Everything is there for this. I thank every soldier, sergeant, and officer with whom I have spent these years. I bow to the families of our fallen. I said it before and I will repeat it today: my job is war. Positions change, but this principle does not. Whatever my status, I will serve Ukraine until Victory. For a long time, they tried to impose on us that Ukrainians are not capable of fighting. We proved that this is not so. Ukraine is defended by a heroic people. Our country will survive if everyone does their job as diligently as the Ukrainian army does. Glory to Ukraine!

Warriors. Ukrainians. Today I am leaving the post of Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Before I hand over command, I would like to say a few words. For every officer, this is the greatest responsibility - to lead an army during a great war. I have seen this war from its first day in 2014, I lived at the front and I know the price of every liberated kilometer of Ukrainian land. In February-March 2022, I had the honor of commanding the defense of Kyiv, and through our joint efforts, the capital held out. That same spring, the threat of a full siege of Kharkiv was lifted. Then there was the offensive in the Kharkiv region, when in a matter of weeks we liberated Balaklia, Izyum, and Kupyansk. Later, in the Donetsk region, we destroyed the most combat-ready part of the Russian army - the Wagner PMC. I took command of the army in February 2024, at a very difficult time. The defense of Avdiivka was ongoing. Our units were semi-encircled. One of my first orders in office was to order an organized withdrawal from the city. It was a difficult decision. But I made it because for me there was one main priority: saving people's lives. And then there was a year that changed the course of this war. Together we stopped the enemy's offensive in the Kharkiv region. We prevented his offensive in the Sumy region. And we carried out the Kursk operation - for the first time in this war, we moved combat operations to enemy territory. I want this to be recorded clearly: our goal was never the occupation of foreign land. Our goal was to disrupt the enemy's prepared offensive on Sumy and Kharkiv, to draw away his most combat-ready troops, and to replenish the exchange fund in order to return our people from captivity. All of this was accomplished. We changed the army not only on the battlefield, but also at its core. We were the first in the world to create a separate branch of the armed forces — the Unmanned Systems Forces. We grew them from individual units to a system that today makes the enemy feel that he has no safe rear. We built a new air defense: we created a separate command of unmanned air defense systems, formed regular units of interceptor drone crews, and built an echeloned system of covering the sky over the rear. What was recently an experiment of enthusiasts today knocks down every night what was considered unassailable. We closed the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk, and are systematically destroying the enemy's "shadow fleet." We transferred the army to a corps structure, brought combat officers into headquarters, and made it a rule: the path to leadership positions lies through the front. Liberating Ukrainian territories, we conducted a successful Dobropil operation and an offensive operation in the Oleksandrivka direction. We continue to restrain the enemy's offensive in the main directions and conduct offensive operations in separate sections of the front. I have no right to speak about some of the operations that we have implemented over the years. History will tell about them. I will only say: the enemy remembered them. And about the most important thing - in what condition I hand over the battlefield. This year, under my command, 700 square kilometers of our land have been liberated. The army, which two years ago waged a heavy defense, is advancing today. I am handing over to my successor an army that is not only on the defensive, but also on the offensive — with initiative, with structure, with people who know how to beat the enemy. And I sincerely hope that this offensive will be continued. Everything is there for this. I thank every soldier, sergeant, and officer with whom I have spent these years. I bow to the families of our fallen. I said it before and I will repeat it today: my job is war. Positions change, but this principle does not. Whatever my status, I will serve Ukraine until Victory. For a long time, they tried to impose on us that Ukrainians are not capable of fighting. We proved that this is not so. Ukraine is defended by a heroic people. Our country will survive if everyone does their job as diligently as the Ukrainian army does. Glory to Ukraine!

Ukraine sees change in military commander-in-chief: What happened in the turbulent 10 days? Key points explained.

Days after protests in Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities demanding a change in military leadership, Zelenskyy dismissed the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Oleksandr Sersky, and appointed Mykhailo Drabatiy as his successor. (Al-Hadath Channel)

Days after protests in Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities demanding a change in military leadership, Zelenskyy dismissed the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Oleksandr Sersky, and appointed Mykhailo Drabatiy as his successor.

Klitschko thanked Syrsky for the defense of Kyiv and service in the Armed Forces of Ukraine and wished Drapatom success in his position as commander-in-chief Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko thanked General Oleksandr Syrsky for his service, in particular for organizing the defense of the capital in 2022, and wished Mykhailo Drapatom success in his position as commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine against the backdrop of the upcoming change in the leadership of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Klychko noted that he got to know Syrsky better in February 2022 during the defense of Kyiv, when it was necessary to make difficult decisions in the face of the offensive of Russian troops. ...

Mykhailo Drapatyi, Ukraine's new commander-in-chief of the armed forces: "Serving Ukraine has always been an honor for me, and during the war for independence it meant absolute responsibility." • • "I am grateful to the commander-in-chief of the armed forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrsky, for his consistent work to strengthen the Ukrainian army. I grew up in it." • • He says he will "work responsibly, focused and with respect for the people who are defending our state today." • • "Glory to the nation. Death to the enemies."

Breaking: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has replaced Kyiv’s military chief, General Oleksandr Syrskyi, after days of widespread protests against the removal of the country’s popular defense minister, whose ousting revealed an unprecedented public split in the military over its strategy in the war against Russia. • • Mykhailo Drapatyi, who is the commander of Ukraine’s Joint Forces, will become Ukraine’s new commander-in-chief, Zelensky announced on Tuesday evening. -@CNN

Zelenskyy’s full address tonight announcing the appointment of new Commander in Chief Mykhailo Drapatyi. He says the General Staff will also be reconfigured. Zelenskyy also offered former defense minister Mykhailo Fedorov a new position, but did not say whether he’d accepted. As first reported @FT, Fedorov turned down an offer to head up a defense tech czar role at the National Security and Defense Council, saying he’d only take back MoD. More changes coming tomorrow and throughout the week.