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The Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced a major reorganization of military and government leadership, replacing the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Oleksandr Syrskyi with General Mykhailo Drapatyi and offering a new prominent position to Mykhailo Fedorov, the former Minister of Defense whose recent removal had sparked protests in several cities across the country.
UKRAINE. The announcement came during a televised address to the nation, in which Zelensky sought to resolve one of the most delicate internal political crises since the start of the Russian invasion in February 2022.
The new commander-in-chief will be General Mykhailo Drapatyi, regarded as one of the most esteemed officers in the Ukrainian army and supportive of a modernization of the armed forces. According to Zelensky, Drapatyi will lead a reform of the command structure, aiming to make the army more efficient and adapt it to the needs of modern warfare.
In his speech, the President paid tribute to General Syrskyi, thanking him for his role in the defense of Kiev during the early stages of the invasion and for leading the Ukrainian offensive in the Russian region of Kursk in the summer of 2024, one of the most significant military operations of the conflict.
“We have come a long way. Ukraine’s defense continues and every soldier deserves respect,” Zelensky said, expressing gratitude towards Syrskyi and all the military engaged at the front.
The decision comes after days of intense political tensions. The dismissal of Mykhailo Fedorov from the Ministry of Defense had triggered protests in Kiev and other cities, with thousands of people taking to the streets to demand his reinstatement. The protesters had set an ultimatum for the Government, threatening indefinite protests if their demands were ignored.
To try to mend the rift, Zelensky announced that he has offered Fedorov a prominent position within the executive. Without specifying its nature, the President explained that the new role should allow him to coordinate the entire technological sector of the State and accelerate its development, leveraging the experience gained in digital innovation and defense technologies.
It is still unclear whether Fedorov will accept the proposal. According to rumors circulating in Ukrainian media, the former minister would have preferred to return to head the Ministry of Defense, a position that has meanwhile been assigned to former special forces commander Yevhen Khmara.
Fedorov welcomed the appointment of Drapatyi, calling it “a breath of fresh air” and stating that it represents the change demanded by Ukrainian society. He also emphasized the need to accelerate front automation, intensify long-range drone attacks, and strengthen economic pressure on Russia.
The new commander enjoys a wide reputation within the armed forces. He has been fighting against Russia since 2014 and became known during the early clashes in Donbass when he led a combat vehicle through a barricade set up by pro-Russian separatists in Mariupol. In recent years, he has commanded the group of Ukrainian joint forces, distinguishing himself with an innovative operational approach focused on integrating new technologies on the battlefield.
According to Zelensky, Drapatyi will be tasked not only with reforming the military organization but also with updating the country’s defensive strategy. Among the priorities are enhancing precision drone strikes against strategic targets in Russian territory, such as refineries and energy infrastructure, and managing mobilization, one of the most sensitive issues after more than four years of large-scale war.
With this extensive reshuffle, the President aims to strengthen both military leadership and public confidence, in an attempt to maintain internal support while the conflict with Russia continues with no immediate prospect of resolution.
