Drapatyi ends Malinovskyi's General Staff role after two years overseeing strikes on Russia
Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces Mykhailo Drapatyi (Photo: Zelenskiy Official / Telegram)
Ukraine's Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Mykhailo Drapatyi ended Maj. Gen. Andrii Malinovskyi's assignment to the General Staff, where he oversaw long-range strikes on Russia for two years, Hromadske reported, citing two defense sources on July 29.
Malinovskyi's position was temporary. After completing his assignment, he returned to his permanent post as commander of the Missile Forces and Artillery, a role that also makes him deputy commander of the Ground Forces.
"He is now back with the Ground Forces' Missile Forces and Artillery. At the General Staff, he held a very senior and important position — broadly speaking, he was in charge of deep strikes," the source said.
Another source added that Malinovskyi returned to the Missile Forces and Artillery "literally on the second or third day" after Drapatyi's appointment.
On July 19, Andrii Malinovskyi expressed support for former Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi.
"During wartime, there is no room for personal ambition, struggles for influence or political games. There is only one priority — Ukraine and its victory. If someone's actions create conflicts, undermine unity or hinder the effective functioning of the defense system, that person must go. Regardless of their name, position or past achievements," Malinovskyi said.
Syrskyi's dismissal and Drapatyi's appointment
On the evening of July 21, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Oleksandr Syrskyi was stepping down as commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, a position he had held since February 2024 following the dismissal of Valerii Zaluzhnyi. Joint Forces Commander Mykhailo Drapatyi, 43, was appointed the new commander-in-chief.
Syrskyi's dismissal came amid protests in Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities that began after Fedorov stepped down as defense minister on July 16. The former defense minister said the commander-in-chief had blocked all of his team's initiatives and "plotted intrigues."
On July 22, Syrskyi commented on his dismissal, saying he would continue serving Ukraine until victory.
The same day, Drapatyi said he had assumed his duties as commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Maj. Gen. Ihor Skybiuk, a former commander of Ukraine's Air Assault Forces, will serve as chief of the General Staff under Drapatyi.
On July 22, acting Defense Minister Yevhenii Khmara met with Drapatyi. They agreed to "be honest with each other" and to shift the war onto Russian territory as much as possible.
On July 24, Drapatyi named strengthening air defenses and reducing military bureaucracy among his key priorities.
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