A Shift in Ukraine's Military Leadership
Military leadership faces shake-up under Selenskiy in response to Russian attack
In a surprising turn of events, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has restructured the military's command. The former commander of the army, Mychajlo Drapatyj, has been divested of administrative duties such as mobilization, training, and recruit preparation, according to Zelensky's evening video address[3]. Now, Drapatyj will dedicate all his might to combat matters, acting as the commander of the Joint Forces[1]. This decision follows a tragic Russian missile attack on a training base in the Dnipropetrovsk region that left 12 soldiers dead and dozens more injured[2].
Initially, Drapatyj himself extended his resignation in the wake of the incident. Yet, despite his resignation, he is considered one of Ukraine's top generals, with recent strides in preserving the city of Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region[2]. It appears Zelensky has opted to keep Drapatyj's leadership skills on the front lines rather than lose them entirely[1].
Meanwhile, Zelensky has inducted new leaders into key positions. Oleh Apostol takes charge as the chief of the airborne troops, while Robert Browdi assumes command over the drone troops. Vadym Sucharewskyj has been appointed as the new deputy commander of the Eastern Group of Forces, aiming to modernize the entire command structure[3]. These changes arrive as Ukraine confronts intensifying pressure on the front lines, with the Russian invasion now entering its fourth year[2].
Politically, Zelensky has urged further sanctions against Russia in response to a devastating Russian missile strike on Sumy that claimed 4 civilian lives and injured around 30[3]. According to Zelensky, more pressure needs to be exerted on Russian President Vladimir Putin before he is inclined to alter his tactics[3].
[1] https://www.kyiv independence.com/en/news/ukraine/ukraine-s-new-joint-forces-commander-drapatyj-to-focus-exclusively-on-combat-issues
[2] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraines- Zelensky-relieves-army-chief- of- some-duties- after-missile-strike-2025-06-03/
[3] https://www.beautyofukraine.com/news/ukraine/zelensky-calls-for-further-sanctions-against-russia-after-civilian-deaths-in-missile-strike-on-sumy
[4] https://ukrainianmilitary.info/en/news/26826-ukrains-new-joint-forces-commander-to-be-mykhailo-drapatyj.html
In the context of renewed political tensions and war-and-conflicts, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has made strategic changes in Ukraine's military leadership, including the appointment of Oleh Apostol as the chief of the airborne troops and Robert Browdi as the commander of the drone troops, as well as the restructuring of Mychajlo Drapatyj's role, who will now focus on combat matters [1]. Meanwhile, amidst general news of intensifying pressure on the front lines and calls for further sanctions against Russia following a Russian missile strike, Zelensky has emphasized the need for political pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin [3].
