A major reshuffle has taken place in the highest military echelons in Kyiv. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky officially announced the replacement of the Commander-in-Chief of the country's Armed Forces. The new leader of the army is Mykhailo Drapatsky.
This decision, announced in the head of state's Telegram channel, marked the culmination of a series of events that began with the resignation of the government. As Zelensky stated, together with Drapatsky, Yevhen Khmara, and Pavlo Palisa, the key directions for updating the structure of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine have already been determined.
Handover of duties and personnel changes
The process of changing leadership was not limited to the appointment alone. The President held a series of meetings with the current command. In particular, with Oleksandr Syrsky and the Chief of the General Staff, Andriy Hnatov, further formats of service and the procedure for the proper handover of duties were discussed.
Mykhailo Drapatsky, who previously headed the Joint Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, became the most likely candidate for this position. According to Bloomberg sources, 11 candidates were considered for the post, but the choice fell on him.
Background: conflict in the defense ministry
The decision to change the command was a consequence of a deep crisis in the defense ministry. On July 14, the Verkhovna Rada supported the resignation of the government led by Yulia Sviridenko. Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov also lost his position.
Fedorov himself, after resigning, stated that the reason for his departure was a conflict with Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrsky. The President confirmed this version, citing disagreements between the minister and the commander as the reason for Fedorov's dismissal.
In turn, Oleksandr Syrsky, in response to these accusations, stated that he was unaware of the existence of a conflict, noting only that in his work he is "sometimes tough".
Public resonance and protests
Personnel decisions in the army have sparked a wide public response. Protests have been continuing for six days in Kyiv and other cities of Ukraine. Protesters are demanding not only the return of Mykhailo Fedorov to the post of minister but also the resignation of the current Commander-in-Chief, Oleksandr Syrsky, pending the change of command.
Against the backdrop of this tense situation, the President held a series of meetings with top commanders, trying to stabilize the situation and ensure the continuity of the management of the armed forces.
