Ukraine president appoints new army chief amid protests
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has named General Mykhailo Drabati as the new army chief, marking the biggest military leadership shakeup since the war began.
Key Takeaways
AIIn the biggest change to Ukraine's military leadership since the outbreak of war with Russia, President Volodymyr Zelensky has appointed General Mykhailo Drabati as the new commander-in-chief of the armed forces, following several days of street protests.
Drabati, who led Ukraine’s ground forces from 2024 to 2025, is seen as part of a new generation of military leaders. The 43-year-old replaces Oleksandr Syrsky, 60.
According to Reuters, Zelensky’s cabinet reshuffle last week, which included the dismissal of reform-minded Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, 35, after just six months in office, has raised concerns among analysts about whether Ukraine could lose recent momentum on the battlefield.
Ukraine is seeking to regain the initiative in the war by launching major strikes against Russia’s energy sector—a key source of budget revenue—and its logistical operations.
Reuters also reported that it remains unclear whether Zelensky’s announced changes will be enough to quell protests and ease tensions on Ukraine’s streets, as Kyiv continues its war with Russia amid mounting military and political challenges.