Ukraine Appoints New Army Chief

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has appointed Major General Mykhailo Drapatyi as the country's new Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, marking the biggest change in Ukraine's military leadership since the war with Russia began.

The appointment comes after several days of public protests and follows a wider government reshuffle that has raised questions about the future direction of Ukraine's wartime leadership.

Drapatyi, 43, is a respected veteran commander who led Ukraine's Ground Forces from 2024 to 2025 and is widely regarded as part of a new generation of military leaders. He succeeds Oleksandr Syrskyi, 60, as the country's top military commander.

The leadership change follows President Zelensky's cabinet reshuffle last week, which included the dismissal of reform-minded Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, just six months after he took office. The move prompted concerns among analysts that Ukraine could lose some of the momentum it has recently gained on the battlefield.

Kyiv has sought to seize the initiative in the war by targeting Russia's energy infrastructure and military logistics, aiming to weaken Moscow's ability to sustain its military operations.

Introducing the new commander, Zelensky said Ukraine's defense operations "must continue steadily" as the country presses ahead with its military campaign against Russia.