Ukraine’s new top general is a 43-year-old maverick whose bold moves began 12 years ago with a ‘flying’ armored vehicle

• Ukraine has a new commander-in-chief: 43-year-old brigadier general Mykhailo Drapatyi.

• His combat background and reputation for pressure for innovation made him a public favorite.

• His appointment comes amid political turmoil following the ouster of the popular defense minister.

Mykhailo Drapatyi, one of Ukraine’s youngest generals, is now the country’s commander-in-chief after his predecessor Oleksandr Syrskyi was dismissed on Tuesday.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appointed Drapatyi, 43, after days of mass protests over the sacking of the country’s defense minister. Mykhailo Fedorov.

Last week, thousands of people gathered in Kiev and other major cities and called for the reinstatement of 35-year-old Fedorov, who is seen as the champion of football. modernization was urgently needed of the Ukrainian army.

Among their demands were: Syrskyi’s expulsionThe old guard, who has achieved several major victories against Russia but has blocked necessary change and clashed with Fedorov, leading to the young minister’s dismissal, has been criticized as a Soviet-style leader.

Drapatyi, by contrast, is one of the most popular generals of the war and one of a younger generation of officers who rose through the ranks as they fought Russia after the 2014 attack. occupation of Crimea.

The new chief of staff is considered a disciplined commander who challenges the Ukrainian military’s Soviet-rooted culture while also pushing for tactical innovation, drone warfare, personnel recruitment reforms and accountability among the leadership.

Fedorov was publicly praised for doing the same; experts have therefore identified the two as ideal partners to transform the Ukrainian military into a more NATO-aligned, tech-savvy force capable of defeating Moscow.

“Drapatyi is the best choice among those mentioned in the media,” Mykola Bielieskov, senior analyst at ComeBackAlive, Ukraine’s largest military crowdfunder, told Business Insider.

‘Flying BMP’ commander

Drapatyi first came to attention in 2014 when he was fighting pro-Russian separatists in Mariupol as a battalion commander. He was a major at the time and was sent to rescue police officers who were surrounded by armed militants in the city.

Drapatyi led a convoy of four infantry fighting vehicles and ordered the driver of his BMP to charge towards the roadblock, which crashed over the barrier to clear the way.

A video clip of the incident went viral, turning Drapatyi into a celebrity for his “flying BMP” moment at a time when Ukrainian forces were still finding their feet.

A month later, he is known to have led 260 Ukrainian soldiers and 30 vehicles to escape from the Russian siege of Luhansk. After being trapped under artillery fire for days, the Ukrainians fought their way through nearly 24 miles of enemy territory at night, losing one soldier in the process.

Drapatyi subsequently rose steadily through the Ukrainian ranks and was promoted to brigadier general in December 2021. Three months later, Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began.

Drapatyi was 40 years old when the war started, and he lived in Kherson, Dnipro, Kharkiv, Odessa and Donbas. He took part in Ukraine’s major 2022 counteroffensive to liberate its southern lands and later became known as the general to be called upon when part of the front line was at risk of collapse.

Bielieskov said Drapatyi was respected among Ukrainian soldiers as a “decent officer” who ensured stability in Kharkiv. Pokrovsk fronts In 2024.

Bielieskov added that his appointment was a step by Zelenskyy to address public anger over Fedorov’s dismissal.

The post of defense minister has been given to Yevhen Khmara, who currently heads Ukraine’s security agency. But mass protests continue and demonstrators still demand Fedorov’s reinstatement.

“Now it’s about the team, especially who will be the Chief of Staff and who will eventually be the head of the MOD,” Bielieskov said. he said.

Ukraine’s twin strays

One of the important decisions that brought Drapatyi recognition was his resignation as commander of Ukrainian ground forces as a result of the Russian attack in June 2025. killed 12 soldiers About 60 people were also injured at the Ukrainian military base.

Drapati, who took office eight months ago, give up one’s role Taking personal responsibility for the deaths, he described it as a stance against the Ukrainian military culture, where responsibility from senior leadership is rare.

However, two days later, Zelenskyy appointed Drapatyi as commander of Ukraine’s joint forces; this was a post the brigadier general held until his appointment as commander-in-chief.

This reputation and track record made Drapatyi a favorite candidate for the top military command among Fedorov’s supporters; they viewed both men as a kind of dream team that could maximize Ukraine’s chances of beating Russia.

The two have voiced support for each other in their respective roles, with Drapatyi backing Fedorov shortly after the former defense minister’s dismissal.

“There is a willingness to listen to commanders, make decisions faster and support changes arising in the troops,” Drapatyi wrote Thursday about the defense ministry under Fedorov. “This is exactly how this interaction should be.”

Meanwhile, Fedorov, whose political popularity has increased since his dismissal, described Drapatyi’s appointment as a “breath of fresh air”.

Last week, he named the Brigadier General as one of the top commanders who have repeatedly clashed with Syrskyi over what Drapatyi considers necessary changes in the military.

Bielieskov warned that the appointment would not change the fact that Ukraine faces deep, systemic challenges, such as Drapatyi’s recruitment struggle, incomplete organizational reforms at the corps level, and a shortage of skilled personnel in some roles.

“Regardless of popularity, the management of the war will be challenging,” Bielieskov said. he said.

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