Former Ukrainian Minister of Defense Mikhail Fedorov officially reacted to the appointment of Major General Mykhailo Drapaty as the Commander-in-Chief of the country's Armed Forces. The politician published his comments in his Telegram channel, where he called this decision a symbol of 'new air'.
'New Air and Hope'
In his message, Fedorov expressed support for the new army leader, emphasizing the importance of this step in the fight for freedom. 'I congratulate Major General Drapaty on his appointment as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine! This is new air and new hope in the struggle of free people for freedom and justice,' wrote the former minister.
According to Fedorov, Drapaty's appointment generates high expectations among society, which must be justified by concrete results. He outlined key areas that, in his words, should become a priority for the new command:
- A clear vision for ending the war;
- Creating a strong management team;
- Decisive actions to save the lives of servicemen;
- Robotization of the front;
- Inflicting asymmetric strikes;
- Exhausting the enemy's economy.
Farewell to Alexander Syrsky
In addition to congratulations, Fedorov touched upon the topic of his predecessor as head of the Armed Forces of Ukraine — General Alexander Syrsky. The former minister reported that he personally called Syrsky to thank him for his contribution to the country's defense.
The conversation highlighted the defense of Kyiv region, the Kharkiv operation, and other historical battles. 'This is already a significant part of Ukraine's history. But we need to move even faster and write new chapters, correcting all previous mistakes,' added Fedorov, emphasizing the need for reforms and moving forward.
Context of Personnel Changes
Drapaty's appointment came against the backdrop of massive political changes in Kyiv. On July 14, the Verkhovna Rada supported the resignation of Yulia Sviridenko's government, which led to Mikhail Fedorov leaving the post of Minister of Defense.
Earlier, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy explained Fedorov's dismissal as being due to a conflict with Alexander Syrsky. Syrsky himself responded by stating that he was unaware of such a conflict, although he admitted that he could be harsh in communication.
These events caused a wide public resonance. Protests have been continuing for six days in Kyiv and other cities of Ukraine. Rally participants are demanding Syrsky's resignation and expressing support for Fedorov. Against the backdrop of social tension, the president held a series of meetings with top commanders of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, including Mykhailo Drapaty.
According to Bloomberg sources, 11 candidates were considered to replace Alexander Syrsky. Drapaty, who previously headed the Joint Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, was considered the most likely option.
