Zelensky Replaces Military Leadership: Drapatyj Succeeds Syrskyj

Generational Change at the Top of the Army

Drapatyj wrote on Facebook: "Ich werde verantwortungsbewusst, konzentriert und mit Respekt gegenüber den Menschen arbeiten, die heute unser Land verteidigen." Drapatyj has combat experience from the early phase of the conflict. He became known in 2014 as a major when he broke through a pro-Russian checkpoint in Mariupol with an armored personnel carrier, contributing to the securing of the port city. He later led the ground forces and ultimately took responsibility for the defense of the Kharkiv region.

In 2024, Drapatyj helped contain the Russian advance into the Kharkiv region, according to the report. Most recently, he commanded an army group responsible for the defense of this area. He had previously led the ground forces but resigned from this post in 2025 after a Russian Iskander missile struck a training unit and killed twelve soldiers. At the time, Drapatyj stated that he took responsibility for the fact that the army's soldiers had not been sufficiently protected.

Dispute Over Direction: Drones Versus Assault Troops

The personnel changes come against the backdrop of a dispute over the direction of warfare. Defense Minister Mychajlo Fedorow advocated an approach focused on high technology and AI-controlled drones. Syrskyj, on the other hand, is considered an old-school officer who sends ground troops into positional warfare. "Fedorow hatte eine Vision vom Krieg, die wenig mit Schützengräben und blutigen Schlachten, aber viel mit Hochtechnologie und KI-gesteuerten Drohnen zu tun hat," the report described the contrast. Syrskyj, by contrast, is "ein Mann der alten Schule. Er schickt gerne Sturmtruppen vor, die am Boden kämpfen. Altes, blutiges Kriegshandwerk."

According to Zelensky, Syrskyj distinguished himself particularly in the defense of Kyiv in 2022, the successful counteroffensive in the Kharkiv region in 2022, and the Ukrainian advance into the Russian Kursk region in 2024. He won the battle for Kyiv at the beginning of the war and drove the Russians out of the surroundings of the capital. Critics, however, accuse the 60-year-old career soldier of recklessness. "Syrskyj gilt aber auch als rücksichtslos – Soldaten zu opfern, mache ihm nichts aus, wenn er es für zielführend halte, sagen seine Kritiker."

Sources close to the Defense Ministry said that Fedorow and Syrskyj had waged numerous conflicts. Fedorow had made the conflict with Syrskyj, who was trained in the Soviet era, public. "Fedorow und Syrskyj hatten eine Menge Konflikte," the report stated. The West had expressly praised Fedorow's drone course against Russian targets.

Wave of Protests and Political Pressure

The personnel decision follows a wave of protests. After the dismissal of Defense Minister Fedorow the previous week, several thousand, mostly young people took to the streets in Kyiv and many other cities for six days. "Seit Tagen haben in Kiew und vielen anderen Städten Tausende für Fedorow demonstriert." The demonstrators demanded Fedorow's reinstatement and the departure of the army chief. "Die Demonstranten in der Ukraine erringen einen Erfolg," the report wrote. The demonstrators advocated smart, high-tech warfare, as associated with Fedorow.

The 35-year-old Fedorow had been heading the Defense Ministry only since January as a reformer. Previously, he led the Ministry of Digital Transformation, established in 2019. He is credited with advancing drone attacks on the Russian rear. "Die Erfolge der letzten Wochen – die Ukrainer haben mit Drohnen den russischen Angreifern übel zugesetzt – scheinen zu bestätigen, dass dies der richtige Weg ist."

Zelensky himself justified Fedorow's dismissal the previous week with the explanation that the minister should receive a "würdige Position" with a focus on technological development. Details of this new role were not initially given. On Tuesday evening, according to spokesperson Dmytro Lytvyn, there was another conversation with Fedorow. The President emphasized that he hears what the population is saying. On the platform X, Zelensky stated that he had been holding talks with the military for days.

On Friday, news officer Yevhenij Chmara had taken over the Defense Ministry on an interim basis. Zelensky still has to introduce his candidacy to Parliament and have it confirmed by the deputies. Syrskyj also received open support from military circles. "Die Ukraine ist ein Land mit vielen Machtpolen. Der Präsident hat viel zu sagen – aber das Volk redet mit. Die tausenden von Freiwilligen, die die Armee unterstützen, die Kommandeure an der Front, die Politiker aus dem Parlament: alle haben etwas zu sagen."

Fighting Continues Unabated

Parallel to the personnel changes, fighting continued. At night, air alerts were issued in eastern and central Ukraine due to Russian drone attacks, including in the capital Kyiv. A Russian online retailer reported attacks on two of its warehouses, in which several people were injured, according to its own statements. In a previous attack on the same retailer on Saturday, eight people were killed according to Russian reports. Drone or missile threats were also temporarily reported from the Russian regions of Oryol, Kaluga, and Voronezh. The Ukrainian military has increasingly focused on counterattacks against infrastructure critical to Russia's war effort for months.

Drapatyj emphasized in a Facebook post his support for Fedorow and called for reform of the armed forces: "Die Armee braucht Veränderungen, aber ohne Gerechtigkeit sind Veränderungen für die Menschen sinnlos, die diesen Krieg jeden Tag auf ihren Schultern tragen." Drapatyj, Chmara, and deputy head of the Presidential Office Pawlo Palissa are to accompany the restructuring of the relationship between the ministry and the General Staff. Zelensky spoke of a generational change at the top of the army in connection with the transition.

The President expressly thanked the outgoing General and honored his military achievements. Syrskyj, who originally came from Russia, had been Commander-in-Chief since February 2024. The portal Kyiv Independent described Drapatyj as "der oberste moderne, auf Menschen fokussierte Militärführer der Ukraine". In the comparison of the two approaches, it said: "Die Ukraine ist nicht Russland, wo ein Mann einfach entscheidet, was passiert." Zelensky had backed down, the report summarized the sequence of decisions: "Und nun der Knall: Selenski lenkt ein, er entlässt Fedorows Gegenspieler Syrskyj."

Open Questions and Outlook

One report explicitly spoke of a generational change at the top of the army: "Generationswechsel: Drapatyj führt ukrainische Armee." With the appointment of Drapatyj and the appointment of Chmara, a shift in leadership toward representatives of a technology- and people-oriented profile is emerging. The change took place on July 22, 2026, according to the report on the Deutschlandfunk program.

The question of what specific position Fedorow will receive remains open. Zelensky had only announced that he should receive a "würdige Position" with a focus on technological development. The restructuring of the General Staff is also likely to continue shaping political debate in Kyiv.

Overall, the personnel decisions show that Zelensky, despite his own constitutional powers, is responding to pressure from the streets and online public. The simultaneous removal of the Defense Minister and the Army Chief within one week is remarkable in the President's almost four-and-a-half-year term. Observers interpret the move as a signal to the Ukrainian public that criticism and demonstrations are being heard.

This news was broadcast on 22.07.2026 on the Deutschlandfunk program.