Ukraine's Zelensky appoints new army chief

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has appointed Gen. Mykhailo Drapatyi as the new commander-in-chief of the country's armed forces, replacing Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi.

Photo:

IAR/Cezary Piwowarski

Drapatyi, 43, is one of Ukraine's most respected battlefield commanders, according to Polish state news agency PAP. He served as commander of the land forces from 2024 to 2025 before his promotion.

Syrskyi, 60, had led Ukraine's armed forces since February 2024.

Mykhailo Drapatyi. Photo: EPA/OLEKSANDR KLYMENKO

The leadership change, announced on Thursday, comes as Ukraine seeks to gain the upper hand in the war by heavily striking Russia's energy sector and logistics, the Reuters news agency reported.

"The operations of the Ukrainian Defence Forces are ongoing and must continue steadily," Zelensky said.

"Ukraine's plan for long-range sanctions and our program of middle-range strikes will be carried out with absolute precision," he added.

Drapatyi's appointment also follows days of street protests triggered by a Cabinet reshuffle that removed the country's popular defence minister, Mykhailo Fedorov.

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Source: IAR, PAP, Reuters