President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Mykhailo Drapatyi will be appointed as the new Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, replacing Oleksandr Syrskyi.
"I have decided that Mykhailo Drapatyi will become the new Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Together with Mykhailo, Yevhen Khmara, and Pavlo Palisa, we have determined how the configuration of the General Staff should be updated," Zelensky said in his evening address on Tuesday.
The president thanked Syrskyi and every Ukrainian servicemember for maintaining strong frontline positions.
"The fact is that Oleksandr Syrskyi delivered key results for Ukraine in the defense of Kyiv, the Kharkiv counteroffensive, and the Kursk operation. A significant path has been traveled, Ukraine's defense continues, and every soldier deserves proper recognition," Zelensky said.
He added that he had discussed the transition with Syrskyi and Chief of the General Staff Andrii Hnatov earlier on Tuesday to ensure a smooth handover of responsibilities.
"We all share one goal – victory over the enemy and achieving conditions on the battlefield and through pressure on Russia that will force it to make peace," Zelensky emphasized.
According to the president, all relevant decisions will be formally approved on Wednesday, July 22.
