Drapatyi outlines victory strategy in first call with NATO’s top commander in Europe

Drapatyi outlined his vision for a Ukrainian victory and the capabilities needed to achieve it.

“At this stage of the war, we must strengthen operations across multiple domains, prevent enemy infiltration along our defensive lines and expand long- and medium-range strikes against the enemy,” Drapatyi said.

He emphasized the need to continue developing army corps and give them greater autonomy. Ukraine is also working to raise the fatality rate among Russian casualties and weaken Moscow’s economic capacity, Drapatyi said. The military is already using asymmetric methods and Ukrainian technology to achieve those goals.

Syrskyi’s dismissal and Drapatyi’s appointment

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on the evening of July 21 that Oleksandr Syrskyi was leaving his post as commander in chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Syrskyi had held the position since February 2024, after Valerii Zaluzhnyi’s departure. Zelenskyy appointed 43-year-old Joint Forces Commander Mykhailo Drapatyi as his replacement.

Syrskyi’s dismissal came amid protests in Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities that began after Mykhailo Fedorov left his post as defense minister on July 16. The former defense minister accused Syrskyi of blocking every initiative proposed by his team and “scheming behind the scenes.”

Syrskyi commented on his departure on July 22 and said he would serve Ukraine until victory.

Drapatyi said later that day that he had assumed his duties as commander in chief. Maj. Gen. Ihor Skybiuk, the former commander of Ukraine’s Air Assault Forces, would serve as chief of the General Staff under Drapatyi.

Acting Defense Minister Yevhenii Khmara met with Drapatyi on July 22. They agreed “to be honest with each other” and shift as much of the war as possible onto Russian territory.

Drapatyi named strengthening air defenses and cutting military bureaucracy as his key priorities on July 24.