Ukrainian president announces new appointments in military leadership

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has appointed Mykhailo Drapatyi new commander of the Ukrainian Ground Forces while Oleh Apostol  - deputy commander-in-chief.

The president said that these appointments were agreed upon with Lieutenant General Oleksandr Syrskyi, Caliber.Az reports via Ukrainian media. 

"Major General Mykhailo Drapatyi successfully coordinated defensive operations in the Kharkiv direction and prevented a Russian military advance. Colonel Oleh Apostol is an experienced commander of the 95th Air Assault Brigade," Zelenskyy stated, adding that both officers have demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities in combat conditions.

Zelenskyy emphasised that their main task is to significantly enhance the combat readiness of the army, ensure the quality of training for service members, and implement innovative approaches to personnel management within the Ukrainian Armed Forces.    

Drapatyi was appointed commander of the "Kharkiv" operational-tactical group in May, during the Russian military's advance toward the city. His predecessor, Brigadier General Yuriy Halushkin, was removed from the position a month after assuming it. During that period, Drapatyi was serving as the deputy chief of staff for military training. 

Before January 2024, Drapatyi led the "Kherson" operational group and gained recognition as one of the commanders overseeing combat operations on the right bank of the Kherson region in 2022 (in November of that year, Russian forces withdrew from the area). Drapatyi has commanded units in the Donbas conflict zone since 2014.   The 95th Separate Air Assault Brigade is one of the Ukrainian military units operating in the combat zone in the Kursk region.

By Naila Huseynova