Zelenskyy announced that he is appointing Drapatyi as commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

This was reported on the president’s Telegram channel.

According to information from Presidential Advisor Dmytro Lytvyn, on July 21, Volodymyr Zelenskyy held numerous meetings.

The President spoke with Yevhen Khmara and Pavlo Palisa and heard the views of Armed Forces of Ukraine commanders—Viktor Nikoluk, as well as the commanders of the 9th, 12th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 18th, and 21st Corps, as well as the 30th Marine Corps—and discussed with them the current situation along various sectors of the front and possible responses to enemy actions. During these meetings, they also analyzed the details of the defense of frontline cities and communities.

The president announced Drapatyi’s appointment after speaking about Oleksandr Syrskyi’s achievements. All official appointments will be made tomorrow.

Earlier, media outlets reported that Mykhailo Drapatyi is the leading candidate for the position of Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

As is well known, Mykhailo Drapatyi is supported by the military and commanders for his honesty and willingness to take responsibility for changes in the army. He has a reputation as a combat general who has stabilized the most challenging sections of the front. In June 2025 (following a Russian strike on the 239th Training Center, which killed 13 soldiers), Drapatiy resigned from his post as commander of the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ Ground Forces. In his resignation report, he wrote that he “was unable to reform this branch of the military due to a culture of mutual cover-ups.”

Drapatyi does not merely support the transformation of the defense forces; he believes that projects such as the “Drone Line” are rapidly influencing the situation on the battlefield.

In addition, during protests in support of Mykhailo Fedorov, demonstrators named Drapatyi the best candidate for the post of Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine following Syrskyi’s dismissal.

As Mykhailo Fedorov noted during his briefing, Drapatyi has already “received three reprimands from the commander-in-chief,” which indicates his disagreement with outdated methods in the army and attempts to “undermine those who are striving for progress.”

Who Is Mykhailo Drapatyi?

Mykhailo Vasylovych Drapatyi is a major general and one of the most renowned combat commanders in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. As of 2026, he has held the position of Commander of the Joint Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (since June 2025).

• Date of birth: November 21, 1982 (age 43).
• Place of birth: Kamianets-Podilskyi, Khmelnytskyi Oblast.
• Call sign: “Rubin.”
• Education: Kharkiv Institute of Tank Forces (2004), National Defense University of Ukraine (2017, Master’s degree; 2021).

Military Career

• 2004–2014: Served in the 72nd Separate Mechanized Brigade (Bila Tserkva). Began as a lieutenant.
• 2014: Commander of the 2nd Mechanized Battalion of the 72nd Separate Mechanized Brigade. Participated in the defense of Mariupol (May 9, 2014—the famous breakthrough of the barricades in an IFV), the battles for Savur-Mohyla, and the breakout from the Izvarinsky Cauldron (August 2014). He led a breakthrough during which 260 fighters and more than 30 pieces of equipment were successfully evacuated.
• 2015–2016: Chief of Staff – First Deputy Commander of the 30th Separate Mechanized Brigade.
• 2016–2019: Commander of the 58th Separate Motorized Infantry Brigade (Konotop). He commanded in battles on the Avdiivka front and near the Bakhmut highway.
• 2022: Deputy Commander of the Joint Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine for Troop Training. Later, he served as commander of operational groups in the southern sector (Operational Groups “Kakhovka,” “Kryvyi Rih,” and “Kherson”). One of the key commanders who led the liberation of the right bank of the Kherson region.
• 2024: Deputy Chief of the General Staff for Troop Training; Commander of the “Kharkiv” Operational-Tactical Group; Commander of the “Luhansk” Operational-Tactical Group.
• November 29, 2024 – appointed Commander of the Ukrainian Armed Forces Ground Forces.
• 2025: Commander of the “Dnipro” Joint Operational-Tactical Group.
• June 3, 2025 – appointed Commander of the Joint Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Awards

• Full Knight of the Order of Bohdan Khmelnytsky (3rd, 2nd, and 1st classes).
• Cross of Combat Merit.
• “Firearms” Badge.

As a reminder, General Drapatyi previously supported Fedorov and his attempt to reform the military system.

Zelenskiy also dismissed Syrskyi, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.