Syrsky Out, Drapaty In: Fedorov Welcomes Shakeup as Zelensky Offers Him ‘Worthy Position’

Former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has welcomed the appointment of Maj. Gen. Mykhailo Drapaty as Ukraine’s new Commander-in-Chief, calling the reshuffle “a breath of fresh air and new hope” for the country’s defense.

President Volodymyr Zelensky announced Tuesday that Drapaty would replace Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, marking one of the most significant military leadership changes since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion.

The decision came after days of public pressure following Fedorov’s July 15 dismissal as defense minister, a move that triggered protests and sharpened debate over the future of Ukraine’s military modernization.

For supporters of the former minister, Drapaty’s appointment signals that Zelensky has heard calls for a faster, more technology-driven approach to the war.

The decision from the top

Zelensky announced the leadership change during his evening address after consultations with senior defense officials, including acting Defense Minister Yevhen Khmara and Pavlo Palisa, Deputy Head of the Presidential Office.

“I have decided that Mykhailo Drapaty will become the new Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine,” Zelensky said.

The president also said he had met with Syrskyi and Chief of the General Staff Andriy Hnatov to discuss the handover of responsibilities and further service arrangements.

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President Zelensky thanked Syrsky for his service and credited him with key wartime milestones, including the defense of Kyiv, the Kharkiv counteroffensive and the Kursk operation.

Formal decisions on the restructuring of the General Staff are expected Thursday.

“Ukraine must emerge from this situation stronger, and it will become harder for Russia,” Zelensky said.

A reformer takes command

At 43, Drapaty represents a younger generation of Ukrainian battlefield commanders whose outlook was shaped by years of war against Russia.

Before his appointment, he led Ukraine’s Joint Forces Command and was widely viewed as one of the commanders most closely associated with calls for faster battlefield modernization.

Drapaty had previously voiced support for Fedorov’s push to speed up innovation inside the Armed Forces, including the expanded use of drones, robotics and other unmanned systems.

His promotion is being seen by reform-minded soldiers and civil society voices as a chance to move away from slow, rigid command habits and toward a more flexible model built around speed, technology and asymmetric warfare.

Fedorov welcomes “new hope”

Fedorov welcomed Drapaty’s appointment, calling it “a breath of fresh air and new hope.”

He said the decision represented “the voice of change that could not be ignored.”

While thanking Syrsky for his contribution to Ukraine’s defense, including the defense of Kyiv region, the Kharkiv operation and other key battles, Fedorov urged the incoming commander to move quickly.

He called for deeper frontline robotization, stronger asymmetric tactics and expanded pressure on Russia’s war economy.

Fedorov’s reaction suggested that Drapaty’s appointment could help ease some of the public concern that followed his removal from the Ministry of Defense.

A new tech role for Fedorov

Zelensky also sought to keep Fedorov’s technology agenda inside the government by offering him a new position on the state team.

The president did not name the exact role, but said it would focus on uniting and developing Ukraine’s technological capabilities.

“I offered Mykhailo [Fedorov] a worthy position in the government that would make it possible to unite the technological component of our state and ensure its development,” Zelensky said.

Whether Fedorov will accept the new offer remains to be seen as the updated military command structure takes shape.

Prior to Zelensky’s address, the former minister had said he wanted only to return to his old job to finalize his frontline technology initiatives.

What comes next for the General Staff

Zelensky has outlined several priorities for the reorganized General Staff, including modernizing military management, improving coordination with frontline units and expanding Ukraine’s drone and long-range strike capabilities.

He added that Ukraine’s goal remains to “achieve victory over the enemy and create conditions on the battlefield that will force Russia to make peace.”