Factbox: Who Is Ukraine’s New Army Chief Mykhailo Drapatyi?

KYIV, July 22 – Major General Mykhailo Drapatyi has been appointed as the new commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian armed forces. This decision comes as President Volodymyr Zelenskiy looks to restructure the military strategy in the ongoing conflict with Russia, which has now entered its fifth year.

Drapatyi, who is 43 years old, takes over from General Oleksandr Syrskyi, 60, who was dismissed following several days of public demonstrations. The change in leadership marks a significant shift in the direction of Ukraine’s military operations.

New Generation of Leadership

Drapatyi is seen as part of a new generation of military leaders. His career has been defined by his experiences in combat against Russian forces. Over the course of his 26-year military career, he has risen from a tank lieutenant to one of Ukraine’s most effective commanders on the battlefield.

In a rare public statement last week, Drapatyi emphasized the need for transformation within the Ukrainian army. He shared his belief that the military is capable of learning, developing technology, and protecting the people while allowing commanders to take responsibility for outcomes. His comments were made in support of the recently dismissed Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov.

‘Flying Armoured Vehicle’

Drapatyi’s reputation as a bold and effective leader was solidified during his time in the Donbas region in 2014. He became well-known after shouting “Go!” to the driver of an armoured fighting vehicle in Mariupol, leading a daring mission to rescue besieged police officers. That same year, he also led an encircled force that managed to break through Russian territory and reach safety.

After the full-scale invasion by Russia in February 2022, Drapatyi became a key figure in areas of the front where the situation was most critical. In the summer of 2024, he successfully halted a Russian incursion near Kharkiv, stabilized the front line, and was subsequently named the youngest-ever commander of the Ukrainian land forces—a position of great importance within the military.

Reforms and Resignation

As the head of the land forces, Drapatyi sought to implement changes in the recruitment and training systems. He aimed to foster initiative and flexibility among frontline troops, viewing these qualities as strengths that set him apart from some of the more traditional Soviet-trained generals in the Ukrainian army.

However, his tenure was short-lived. Following a Russian strike on an army training center in June 2025, which resulted in at least 12 deaths and many injuries, Drapatyi resigned, citing personal responsibility for the tragedy. He stated, “An army in which commanders bear personal responsibility for people’s lives is a living force. An army in which no one is held accountable for casualties is dying from within.”

His resignation came as a shock to many in Ukraine. Shortly after stepping down, he was reassigned to a less prominent but more combat-focused role as the commander of the joint forces.

Early Years

Born in 1982 in Kamianets-Podilskyi in western Ukraine, Drapatyi pursued his education at the Kharkiv Tank Forces Institute, graduating in 2004. He began his military career as a lieutenant in the 72nd Separate Mechanized Brigade in the Kyiv region.

Drapatyi is married and has two children, a son and a daughter.