KYIV, July 22. /Dunyo IA/. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the appointment of Major General Mykhailo Drapatyi as the new Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, replacing Oleksandr Syrskyi, and offered former Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov a new position in the government, reports Dunyo IA correspondent.

According to the “UNN” information agency, the Ukrainian leader announced the decision in a video address, stating that it was made after consultations with the military leadership on reforming the structure of the General Staff and the further development of the armed forces.

The president thanked Oleksandr Syrskyi for his service, emphasizing his contribution to the country’s defence. According to him, Ukraine’s main goal remains creating conditions on the front line and increasing pressure on Russia in order to “force it into peace.”

The change in the leadership of the Armed Forces of Ukraine came after several days of mass protests triggered by the dismissal of Minister of Defense Mykhailo Fedorov. Protesters demanded Syrskyi’s dismissal and Fedorov’s return as head of the Defence Ministry. Organizers of the demonstrations stated that otherwise they were prepared to launch an indefinite nationwide protest.

After announcing Syrskyi’s dismissal, Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he had met with Mykhailo Fedorov and offered him a “worthy leadership position” that would make it possible to integrate the state’s technological component and ensure its further development.

Since June 2025, Mykhailo Drapatyi had commanded the Joint Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, which were responsible for the section of the front in the Kharkiv region. Before that, he commanded the operational-strategic group “Dnipro.” In 2014, while serving as commander of a battalion of the 72^nd Separate Mechanized Brigade, he took part in the fighting for Mariupol.

He publicly supported Mykhailo Fedorov, stating that he had witnessed his efforts to reform the armed forces and address systemic problems. Following the minister's dismissal, the general called for continuing changes within the armed forces, emphasizing that commanders “must not remain silent about problems, because their cost is measured in human lives and missed opportunities.”