A Young General Takes Command of the Ukrainian Army: Who Is Mykhailo Drabaty?
A new generation is moving into the leadership of the Ukrainian army following the appointment of General Mykhailo Drabaty as commander-in-chief of the armed forces, replacing Oleksandr Syrsky.
On Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed the 60-year-old commander-in-chief of the armed forces, Oleksandr Syrsky, days after widespread protests erupted following the dismissal of former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov.
The new army chief, 43-year-old Mykhailo Drabaty, is a younger general who is often described as representing a new generation of military leaders whose careers were shaped by the ongoing war.
In announcing the change, the Ukrainian president thanked Syrsky for defending Kyiv and leading several offensive operations.
The changes came after Zelensky dismissed Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, 35, the previous week. Fedorov had earned a strong reputation for pioneering innovative approaches to technology and recruitment, but had clashed with other members of Ukraine’s defense establishment, including Syrsky.
Who Is Mykhailo Drabaty?
Drabaty was born in western Ukraine and studied at a military academy in Kharkiv, the city that Ukrainian forces recaptured at the beginning of the war in 2022.
He previously served as commander of the Joint Forces. His name first gained prominence in 2014, after a video emerged showing him driving an armored combat vehicle through a barricade erected by pro-Russian separatists in the city of Mariupol. The scene later became a « symbol of Ukrainian resistance ».
Observers describe him as representing a new generation of military leaders who have gained battlefield experience during the ongoing war, with a greater emphasis on modern tactics and adapting to the changing nature of warfare.
Following his appointment, Drabaty pledged to carry out his duties « responsibly, with focus and respect » for the Ukrainian armed forces as they wage the war.
He thanked Syrsky for his work in strengthening the Ukrainian army during his lengthy tenure, adding: « I grew up within its ranks. »
Why Was Syrsky Dismissed?
The dismissal came amid growing criticism of Syrsky, following disputes between him and former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, who was known for advocating the expanded use of technology and drones in the war.
Fedorov’s dismissal sparked protests across Ukraine, increasing pressure on Syrsky amid mounting speculation about his future in the military.
Before his dismissal, Syrsky published an article in which he apologized if he had offended Fedorov, while affirming his support for the development of drone units. However, he argued that transforming an army of nearly one million soldiers into a force entirely dependent on this type of weapon within a short period of time would be « a poorly calculated gamble ».
Syrsky had led the Ukrainian army since 2024 and had previously commanded forces in several major battles, including the defense of Kyiv, as well as leading several offensive operations.
However, he faced criticism over his handling of the Battle of Bakhmut, which his critics described as prolonged and costly in terms of human lives.
