In Kyiv, a large-scale process of finding a worthy replacement for the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has unfolded. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy tasked a group of trusted individuals with conducting a deep analysis of potential candidates for this position. As it turned out, the choice was not limited to just the name of Mykhailo Drapaty — the shortlist included other high-ranking military officers, including Major General Alexander Apostol.
Systematic selection: 95% of experts called Syrsky irreplaceable
According to one of the participants in the "casting" who was involved in selecting candidates, this was one of the most systematic and thorough personnel selections in the history of the Ukrainian army. The president's trusted associates spoke with former and current colleagues of all contenders, as well as with their subordinates and superiors.
"I think this was one of the best — if not the best and most systematic — personnel selections we have conducted. At the same time, about 95% of people said that there is no alternative to Syrsky in terms of scale, experience, and competencies," recalls an RBC-Ukraine source.
Why Drapaty became the favorite, while Apostol was the "second option"
Despite the high assessment of Syrsky, the leadership had a specific goal — to show the troops new approaches. Some potential candidates even withdrew themselves, stating that they did not have enough knowledge and skills for such a responsible position.
"As a result, Drapaty turned out to be closest to the so-called "second option". Apostol — also, but he is considered close to Syrsky, and we did not want to create the impression that the replacement was made just like that," explained the source.
Alexander Apostol: from Ivano-Frankivsk to Commander of the Air Assault Forces
Major General Alexander Apostol is a well-known Ukrainian military officer, born in Ivano-Frankivsk. He received his education at the National Academy of Ground Forces named after Hetman Petro Sahaidachny in the specialty "Combat application and management of airborne forces units".
Apostol has been participating in the Russo-Ukrainian war since 2014. Together with his comrades, he entered Nikolaevka in the Donetsk region several times and conducted assault operations against the fortified positions of Russian occupiers. At that time, the military drew fire onto themselves to reveal enemy firing positions and destroy them with powerful fire.
On November 29, 2024, Apostol was appointed Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. And on June 3, 2025, he became the Commander of the Air Assault Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Social media and public opinion
Previously, RBC-Ukraine warned that a special operation against Drapaty had begun on social media. It also became known how many Ukrainians actually support the dismissal of Syrsky. These data show that the issue of changing the command remains one of the most discussed in society.
The process of choosing a new Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine demonstrates how seriously the country's leadership approaches personnel decisions in wartime conditions. Every step is analyzed, every candidate undergoes a strict check, and public opinion is taken into account when making the final decision.
