Who is Mykhailo Drapatyi, Ukraine's new commander‑in‑chief?

Maj‑Gen Mykhailo Drapatyi, 43, has replaced Oleksandr Syrskyi as Ukraine’s commander‑in‑chief – the third since the full‑scale invasion began in 2022. Drapatyi’s appointment has been welcomed by soldiers and civilians who cite his battlefield record and his reputation for fairness and strength.

He rose from a lieutenant after graduating from the Kharkiv Institute of Tank Troops to a field general noted for decisive actions that pushed back Russian forces. In May 2014 a viral video showed his unit breaching a barricade in Mariupol – a moment that defined his reputation for audacious leadership.

During the 2022‑2023 campaign he led joint‑forces task groups that reclaimed Ukrainian settlements near Kryvyi Rih, Kherson and Dnipropretrovsk. His commitment to accountability saw him resign following a missile strike that killed 12 soldiers in 2025, a move that earned public and military praise.

Now, as commander‑in‑chief, Drapatyi faces a complex portfolio: coordinating with President Zelensky, managing Western assistance, reforming conscription and procurement, and maintaining troop morale amid winter fighting.

He is expected to steer Ukraine toward a more humane style of warfare, balancing strategic objectives with the protection of soldiers’ lives. Over the next months, he will need to navigate skepticism about his ability to translate battlefield expertise into strategic command while meeting high public expectations.

With the stakes high and the war ongoing, Drapatyi’s leadership will shape Ukraine’s defense trajectory and the nation’s appetite for change.