Zelensky Appoints Mikhail Drapaty as New Ukrainian Army Commander-in-Chief
Quick Look
- Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has appointed Mikhail Drapaty as the new commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian army, replacing Alexander Syrsky.
- Chief of the General Staff Andrey Gnatov was also dismissed, with Vladimir Gorbatyuk expected to succeed him, though no official decrees have been issued yet.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Ukrainian politicians and protesters had been demanding the resignation of Alexander Syrsky for a week prior to his dismissal.
MOSCOW, July 21. /TASS/. Vladimir Zelensky said he has appointed Mikhail Drapaty as the new commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian army to replace Alexander Syrsky, whose resignation many Ukrainian politicians and protesters have been demanding for a week.
"It was decided that Mikhail Drapaty will be the new commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian armed force," he said in a video address posted on his Telegram channel.
Along with Syrsky, Zelensky dismissed Chief of the General Staff Andrey Gnatov. "Today, we discussed with Alexander Syrsky and Andrey Gnatov future service arrangements and the proper handover of responsibilities," he said.
Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian parliament) member Alexey Goncharenko (designated as a terrorist and extremist in Russia) wrote on his Telegram channel earlier that Gnatov will be succeeded by his deputy Vladimir Gorbatyuk.
No official decrees regarding resignations and appointments have been issued so far.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Official decrees regarding the appointments and dismissals will be issued.
Very likely · Within days
Open Questions
- When will official decrees be issued?
- What are the specific reasons for Syrsky's dismissal?
- What are the future service arrangements for Syrsky and Gnatov?
