President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has chosen Mykhailo Drapatyi as the new Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Oleksandr Syrskyi is to hand over his duties, while all personnel decisions are expected to be formalized tomorrow.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced this in his evening video address on July 21.
According to the president, together with Mykhailo Drapatyi, Yevhenii Khmara and Pavlo Palisa, they determined how the configuration of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine should be updated.
Zelenskyy highlighted Oleksandr Syrskyi’s achievements during the defence of Kyiv, the Kharkiv offensive operation and the Kursk operation.
“A significant path has been travelled, the defence of Ukraine continues, and every warrior deserves dignified treatment. I am grateful to Oleksandr Syrskyi and to every one of our warriors for Ukraine’s strong positions on the front. I am grateful to Mykhailo Drapatyi for exactly this approach,” the president said.
Zelenskyy also said that he had discussed future forms of service and the proper handover of duties with Syrskyi and Andrii Hnatov.
According to the president, the goal remains victory over the enemy and the creation of such conditions on the front and such pressure on Russia that would make it possible to force Russia into peace.
“Tomorrow we will formalize all the decisions. Ukraine must emerge stronger from this situation, and it will become more difficult for Russia,” Zelenskyy stressed.
