In brief
Major General Mykhailo Drapatyi has taken the helm as Ukraine’s commander‑in‑chief, succeeding Oleksandr Syrskyi after three leadership changes since the war began. Drapatyi’s battlefield track record, marked by rapid operations in 2014 and decisive actions during the 2022‑24 fighting, earned him both troop support and public acclaim. He vows to tackle corruption, improve conscription and training, and leverage Ukraine’s tech‑driven defense gains while navigating tight political constraints. Experts note that the new commander must balance ambition with realism amid war’s brutal realities.
Ukraine Chooses Mykhailo Drapatyi as New Commander‑in‑Chief
Major General Mykhailo Drapatyi, 43, has been appointed Ukraine’s commander‑in‑chief, stepping into a role that has changed hands three times since the full‑scale Russian invasion began in 2022.
Drapatyi’s appointment was met with cheers from soldiers and civilians; his name even erupted in protests which originally demanded the dismissal of Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, but ultimately called for Oleksandr Syrskyi’s removal.
A veteran of the 2014 uprising, Drapatyi first rose to prominence when a video captured him crushing makeshift barricades with an infantry fighting vehicle, leading to the rescue of hostages in Mariupol. He later earned accolades for evacuating encircled units in Luhansk.
After returning to the Kharkiv Institute of Tank Troops for advanced studies in 2021, he was honored by the British ambassador for being the top graduate. With the war’s escalation in 2022, Drapatyi served as deputy commander of joint forces and led task forces that pushed Russian troops back in critical regions such as Kryvyi Rih, Kherson and Dnipropetrovsk.
In 2025 he resigned from the army’s ground forces after a Russian missile strike in Dnipropetrovsk killed twelve soldiers, citing “conspiracy of silence and impunity” as his reason. His resignation was praised as personal accountability and set the stage for his promotion to commander of the Joint Forces.
Now, as commander‑in‑chief, Drapatyi faces tight operational and political constraints. Analysts warn that while he can push for reforms—improving training, correcting corrupt procurement, and reforming mobilisation—his path is fraught with bureaucracy, international partnership dynamics and a bleak ceasefire outlook.
He has expressed a commitment to “responsible leadership” and to avoiding the “brutal offensives” that characterized Syrskyi’s tenure. Many Ukrainian soldiers feel the change heralds a more humane approach, with potential traction for a defense doctrine that harnesses the country’s tech innovations.
Key takeaways:
- Drafaty’s battlefield prowess and accountability led to high expectations.
- Challenges include combating corruption, improving conscription, and navigating state‑wide reforms.
- His ascent comes amid ongoing war, threatening a swift ceasefire and a harsh winter ahead.
