Drapatyi sets out leadership principles for Ukraine’s Armed Forces

The General Staff announced the publication on Sept. 2.

The document, titled Commander-in-Chief’s Leadership Principles and Development of the Armed Forces in Wartime, was published on the Armed Forces’ official website.

It identifies Ukrainian servicemembers as the military’s most important asset.

“The most valuable combat capability of the Armed Forces is our people, and every commander is obliged to protect them,” the document says.

Drapatyi also stressed that support for servicemembers should not end when their military service does.

“Those who defended Ukraine must be provided with proper assistance, rehabilitation, recognition and opportunities,” the document says. “The Armed Forces will carry out this work together with the Defense Ministry, Veterans Affairs Ministry, state authorities, local governments and volunteer organizations.”

Military service should also become “predictable and fair,” while personnel decisions should be based on the needs of the military, professionalism and performance, the principles state.

Innovation and technology are another priority.

“Technology is needed where it allows a mission to be carried out with fewer losses and less risk to those directly holding the front line,” the document says.

Drapatyi also called for more efficient command structures, saying headquarters should “be smaller where possible and faster where necessary.”

“We must achieve a lasting and just peace and create such Armed Forces of Ukraine that, in the future, no aggressor has reason to view an attack on Ukraine as an acceptable way of achieving its goals,” Drapatyi said.

Zelenskyy appointed Drapatyi in July

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the dismissal of Oleksandr Syrskyi as commander-in-chief on July 21 and appointed Drapatyi, who had previously commanded Ukraine’s Joint Forces, to replace him.

When Drapatyi was introduced to the General Staff leadership, he identified strengthening air defense and reducing military bureaucracy as two of his key priorities.