Zelenskyy taps Mykhailo Drapatyi to lead Ukraine’s armed forces

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced in a post on his official Telegram channel that Mykhailo Drapatyi will become the new commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

According to Zelenskyy, a new configuration of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine was agreed upon in consultations with acting Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) chief Yevhenii Khmara and Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Pavlo Palisa.

Drapatyi, 43, a popular and battle-hardened commander, reacted to the appointment in a Facebook post, pledging to serve with dedication and thanking outgoing commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrskyi for his contribution to strengthening the military.

"I will work responsibly, with full focus, and with respect for the people who are defending our country today," Drapatyi said.

He also thanked Syrskyi "for his consistent work to strengthen the Ukrainian army," adding: "I grew up in it."

Zelenskyy also emphasised that outgoing commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrskyi had delivered important results in the defence of Kyiv and had guided the military through a significant period of the war, but argued that a new perspective was now required.

“The defence of Ukraine continues, and every serviceman deserves proper respect. I am grateful to Oleksandr Syrskyi and to every Ukrainian warrior,” the president said.

The Ukrainian leader added that on July 21 he met with Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, who is set to leave the post, and Chief of the General Staff Andrii Hnatov to discuss future service arrangements and the orderly transfer of responsibilities.

By Jeyhun Aghazada