Mykhailo Drapatyi becomes Ukraine's new Commander-in-Chief; Kyiv, Moscow and West react
Mykhailo Drapatyi has been appointed as the new commander-in-chief of Ukraine's armed forces, replacing Oleksandr Syrskyi, sparking widespread reactions and concern among Russian war bloggers.
Political changes in Ukraine's military
On the evening of July 21, Major General Mykhailo Drapatyi was appointed as the new commander-in-chief of Ukraine's armed forces, replacing Oleksandr Syrskyi. The appointment followed a conflict between Syrskyi and Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, which led to Fedorov's dismissal and consequent protests in his support, after which Syrskyi resigned.
Drapatyi is known as a new-generation commander who, unlike Syrskyi, welcomes initiative from the ranks and seeks to preserve his soldiers' lives. He began the war as a battalion commander and now, at 43, has become the top military commander.
Reactions in Ukraine
President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked Syrskyi for results in the defense of Kyiv, the Kharkiv offensive, and the Kursk operation, emphasizing that every soldier deserves respect. Former Defense Minister Fedorov congratulated Drapatyi, calling this "a breath of fresh air" and new hope, and demanded a clear vision for ending the war, a strong team, and decisive action to preserve warriors' lives, robotize the front, and deliver asymmetric strikes.
Valerii Zaluzhnyi, former commander-in-chief and now Ukraine's ambassador to the UK, noted that Drapatyi will have a very hard time, but will never be ashamed. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko thanked Syrskyi for his difficult duty carried out without cameras or interviews.
Soldiers and volunteers expressed hope that Drapatyi would learn from his predecessor's mistakes and prioritize professionalism, personnel preservation, and maximum damage to the enemy. Some stated that the changes occurred thanks to Ukrainian people's protests.
Moscow's and Western perspectives
Russia reacted cautiously. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said it is not for them to comment and that it won't change the front dynamics. Russian war correspondent Aleksandr Sladkov argued that Ukraine's supply situation is deteriorating regardless of command changes.
Pro-Kremlin war bloggers expressed concern. Yuri Podolyaka noted that Drapatyi, only 43 and starting the war as a battalion commander, is a dangerous opponent. The Rybar Telegram channel acknowledged Drapatyi looks more dangerous than Syrskyi but pointed out that the main problems are not about the commander's personality.
Western analysts viewed the appointment positively. Rob Lee from the U.S.-based Foreign Policy Research Institute called Drapatyi an excellent choice who began reforms to improve military culture and criticized Soviet-style thinking. Mick Ryan from Australia's Lowy Institute highlighted Drapatyi's reputation as a modern, soldier-focused commander who supports innovation and accepts responsibility.
