New Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief: Zelensky Appoints General Drapatyj as Successor to Syrskyj

Drapatyj as the Protest Movement's Preferred Candidate

Drapatyj is considered the protesters' preferred candidate. He is described as combat-experienced, has, according to observers, the support of the lower ranks, and is considered tech-savvy. "Er gilt als kampferfahren, hat Rückhalt in den unteren Dienstgraden, ist technikaffin, übernimmt Verantwortung," the analysis states. "Drapatyjs Laufbahn und heldenhafte Einsätze seit 2014 wurden vielfach gewürdigt." The general had previously served as a brigade commander in the Donbas.

The appointment takes place against the backdrop of a war that has been ongoing since 2014 and expanded significantly after Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. "Als im Februar 2022 das Kriegsrecht und die allgemeine Mobilmachung angeordnet wurden," the Ukrainian armed forces had to be massively expanded within a short period of time. "Umfassten ihre Streitkräfte vor der Invasion nur rund 250.000 Soldaten," the DGAP analysis states. To fill the newly created higher command positions, Ukraine drew on retired officers, "nur so ließen sich Hunderte neu geschaffene, unbesetzte höhere Kommandoposten besetzen."

Structural Problems from Rapid Army Expansion

However, this solution had side effects. "Dabei hatten administrative Anforderungen wie Dienstzeit und Rang Vorrang vor Fachwissen und Kampferfahrung," the authors write. "Manche haben seit dem sowjetischen Krieg in Afghanistan keinen Kampfeinsatz mehr erlebt, andere noch nie." This led to officers without current frontline experience bearing responsibility at higher command levels.

Syrskyj himself had been Commander-in-Chief since February 2024, succeeding Valeriy Zaluzhnyi. "In den zweieinhalb Jahren, in denen Syrskyj Oberbefehlshaber war," critics accused him primarily of the failed counteroffensive in the summer of 2023: "band ihn die letztlich gescheiterte ukrainische Gegenoffensive im Sommer 2023". Critics also accuse him of having surrounded himself with compliant officers. "Er umgab sich nicht mit innovativen, initiativstarken Offizieren, sondern mit Ja-Sagern," the DGAP writes.

Corruption Allegations and Procurement Scandals

Parallel to Syrskyj's replacement, there was also a personnel change at the level of the Defense Ministry. "Selenskyj setzt nun auf Generalmajor Jewhenij Chmara als kommissarischen Nachfolger" Fedorovs. Fedorov, who had previously served as Digital Minister, had during his tenure publicly tendered the procurement of artillery ammunition. "Milliarden von Hrywnias" in savings had this open procurement brought the ministry, "in Euro also eine mindestens achtstellige Summe". His dismissal was officially justified by the conflict with Syrskyj. Critics describe the 35-year-old as stubborn, uncompromising, and difficult to deal with.

An alternative post offered by Zelensky with a focus on "technologische Entwicklungen" was rejected by Fedorov. "Auch Korruption war weit verbreitet, besonders in Beschaffung und Rüstungsproduktion," the experts write. Procurement deals of the Defense Ministry are classified as wartime secrets, making external control difficult. Fedorov's attempt to counter this with transparent procurement had angered influential actors in the procurement apparatus.

Western Assessment of the Personnel Changes

The DGAP experts assess the personnel changes as fundamentally positive. "Die Ablösung Syrskyjs durch Drapatyj war ein längst überfälliger Schritt in die richtige Richtung," writes András Rácz, Associate Fellow in the Security and Defense Program of the German Society for Foreign Policy (DGAP) in Berlin. His colleague Christian Mölling, Senior Advisor at the European Policy Centre, also sees this as a necessary course correction: "Er forscht und publiziert seit über 20 Jahren zu den Themenkomplexen Sicherheit und Verteidigung" and shares this assessment. "Die Entscheidung fand im In- und Ausland viel Zustimmung," the analysis states.

Despite the shift in mood among the Ukrainian public, the structural problems of the armed forces remain. Soldiers have been holding their positions at the front for "fast viereinhalb Jahren," and many units suffer from material wear and personnel exhaustion. With Drapatyj and Chmara, two officers who stand for combat experience and a willingness to reform are now taking on responsibility – the expectations at home and abroad are correspondingly high.

At the time of reporting, it was unclear how the protests in Kyiv would develop on the announced Friday. The government faces the task of reorganizing the leadership of the armed forces while simultaneously addressing the population's displeasure over the dismissal of the popular Fedorov.

The personnel decision is regarded in Western capitals as a signal that Kyiv is willing to advance structural reforms in military leadership even under wartime conditions. "Die Entscheidung fand im In- und Ausland viel Zustimmung," the Berlin analysts emphasize – political backing that the new Commander-in-Chief Mykhailo Drapatyj must now translate into concrete operational improvements at the front.