Zelenskyy ordered comprehensive vetting process for commander-in-chief search

The vetting process involved collecting detailed background feedback from the candidates' past and present colleagues, subordinates, and superiors.

Zelenskyy conducted a “marathon” of meetings with various corps commanders to evaluate the candidates, with a source telling RBC-Ukraine that while getting the officers to open up was challenging, the sheer number of interviews made up for it.

An official involved in the vetting process called it "one of the best, if not the best and most systematic, staff selection processes we've ever conducted."

“At the same time, about 95 percent of the people said that there was no alternative to Syrskyi in terms of scope, experience, and competencies,” the outlet wrote, quoting its source. “But we needed to show the military some new approaches.”

He added that some potential candidates for the position of Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces even withdrew their candidacies, citing a lack of knowledge and skills.

“In the end, [Mykhailo] Drapatyi turned out to be the closest to the so-called second choice,” the source was quoted as saying. “[Commander of the Ukrainian Air Assault Forces, Oleh] Apostol was also a candidate, but he is considered close to Syrskyi, and they didn’t want to give the impression that they made the replacement just for appearances’ sake.”

Syrskyi dismissal and Drapatyi’s appointment

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on July 21 that Oleksandr Syrskyi was stepping down as Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, a post he assumed in February 2024 following the dismissal of Valerii Zaluzhnyi. Joint Forces Commander Mykhailo Drapatyi, 43, took over as the new head of the army.

Oleksandr Syrskyi’s dismissal followed widespread protests across Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities, which erupted after Mykhailo Fedorov resigned as Defense Minister on July 16 and accused the Commander-in-Chief of blocking his team's initiatives and “weaving political intrigues”.

Syrskyi also responded to his dismissal and declared that he will serve Ukraine until victory.

Drapatyi assumed office on July 22. Former Air Assault Forces Commander Ihor Skybiuk became the new Chief of the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

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

Following the meeting, Drapatyi announced on July 24 that his primary objectives would be strengthening Ukrainian air defenses and eliminating military bureaucracy.