Latest news with #Drapatyi
Business Insider
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Business Insider
Ukraine's outgoing ground forces chief says his command was mired in 'managerial stagnation' when he joined
The outgoing chief of Ukraine's ground forces said on Wednesday that his command was in a "state of managerial stagnation" when he first took his post in November. Writing on social media on Wednesday, Mykhailo Drapatyi listed a slew of issues he discovered last year, including an "atmosphere of fear, lack of initiative, closure to feedback, indifference to personnel problems, a facade of discipline, a deep gap between headquarters and units." Drapatyi wrote that he replaced half of the leaders under him, slamming what he said was systematic abuse, staffing decisions based on connections, and chaos within the officer ranks. "There was not even a trace of a developmental spirit in command," Drapatyi added. The remarks from Drapatyi, who led Kyiv's land forces for roughly six months, reflect an oft-discussed frustration in Ukraine's military that it was thrown into war with an outdated structure and culture that cleaved to old Soviet habits. Ukraine has urgently tried to initiate changes as it battles Russia on its own borders. Drapatyi, a 42-year-old general, was appointed command in November as part of a younger wave of leaders aimed at facilitating reform. "I worked to break this system," he wrote on Wednesday. Drapatyi said one of his focuses was reshaping Ukraine's training divisions, which he said also saw half of its leading officers removed. Additionally, the general said he had to bring digitalization to training management and logistics systems, and introduced "psychological support tools" for soldiers. "The Command of the Ground Forces is only at the beginning of change. A system does not change in a few months, but the vector has already been set, the team assembled, and the approaches revised," he added. Drapatyi stepped down from his post on June 1 in the aftermath of a Russian strike on a Dnipro training ground that killed 12 Ukrainians. While announcing his resignation, Drapatyi blamed himself for the deaths of the soldiers, calling them young Ukrainians who were "supposed to learn, live, fight— not die." "The behavior of fighters matters, but the main responsibility always lies with the command," he wrote. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy summoned Drapatyi for a meeting on June 3, after which the latter was reassigned to the commander of the Joint Forces of Ukraine, another military branch that reports to the General Staff. Zelenskyy said that in his new role, Drapatyi would focus "exclusively on combat issues." Shortly after Zelenskyy's announcement, Drapatyi wrote that he would "remain in the ranks" and take on the new position assigned by the president. "I am stepping down with a clear conscience," he wrote on Wednesday.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Drapatyi ends tenure as Ground Forces chief, says he leaves with 'clear conscience'
Mykhailo Drapatyi said on June 11 that he had concluded his six-month tenure as commander of Ukraine's Ground Forces, summarizing his accomplishments and stating that he is leaving with "a clear conscience." Drapatyi submitted his resignation on June 1, following a deadly Russian missile strike that killed at least 12 Ukrainian soldiers at a training camp in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, saying the victims were young recruits who "should have learned, lived, and fought — not died." President Volodymyr Zelensky appointed him as commander of the Joint Forces on June 3, two days after the incident. The Ground Forces said the same day that an investigation was underway and pledged accountability if negligence or misconduct is found. In his statement, Drapatyi described the state of the Ground Forces at the time of his appointment on Nov. 29, 2024 as mired in "managerial stagnation," defined by fear, lack of initiative, and detachment from frontline units. "Systemic abuse, personnel decisions based on connections, low internal organization," he wrote. "The command is gradually shifting from a culture of fear to a culture of responsibility." Drapatyi said he had replaced over half of the Ground Forces' leadership in key functions and had begun reforms aimed at decentralization, accountability, and professionalism. Under his leadership, the military launched a revamp of recruitment centers, aiming to eliminate corruption and increase transparency in mobilization. Drapatyi also oversaw a partial overhaul of the army's training and staffing systems. New leadership was introduced in the drone, cyber, and electronic warfare units amid a wave of broader reforms. "Decisions are made not on the basis of status or loyalty, but on the basis of analysis, results, and respect for subordinates," Drapatyi said. "Grassroots initiatives ceased to be a threat and began to become a resource." Zelensky said on June 3 that Drapatyi's new role would focus "exclusively on combat issues." Read also: Ukraine's SBU releases fresh video of Operation Spiderweb, teases 'new surprises' We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Russian missile strike hits Ukrainian Ground Forces training unit in Poltava Oblast: injuries reported
Russian forces launched a missile strike on one of the training units belonging to the Ukrainian Ground Forces in Poltava Oblast on Wednesday 4 June. Source: Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Telegram Details: The command reports that the strike has left personnel injured. At the time of the attack, military personnel were at the training ground, undertaking training tasks. Quote: "Thanks to timely security measures, including the dispersal of personnel, the use of shelters and adherence to protocols during an air raid, a large number of casualties were prevented." Details: A special commission has been established to investigate the circumstances of the incident and assess the damage. Its findings will be unveiled upon completion of the investigation. Background: On 1 June, Russian troops launched a missile strike on a training unit of the Ukrainian Ground Forces, killing at least 12 people and injuring more than 60. Mykhailo Drapatyi, Commander of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, resigned that same day due to the tragedy, noting that as commander, he had been unable to fully ensure that his orders were carried out. Subsequently, Drapatyi had stated that he would remain in service, as he had spoken with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and received an assignment from him. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Zelensky reshuffles military leadership following Russian strike
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has made changes at the top of the military leadership. He said in his evening video message on Tuesday that the previous army chief, Mykhailo Drapatyi, has been relieved of organizational tasks such as mobilization, training and preparation of recruits. "Drapatyi will focus exclusively on combat issues and has been appointed Commander of the Joint Forces – so that he can concentrate on the front 100%," Zelensky said. The reduction in his responsibilities was preceded by a fatal Russian missile attack on a military training ground in the Dnipropetrovsk region. Drapatyi himself had offered his resignation via Telegram two days ago as a consequence of the fiasco, in which he said 12 soldiers were killed and dozens were injured. However, the 42-year-old is considered one of Ukraine's most capable generals. Most recently, he stabilized the situation in front of the embattled city of Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region. Observers believe that Zelensky did not want to forgo his leadership qualities at the front. Additionally, Zelensky appointed Oleh Apostol as the head of the paratrooper troops and Robert Brovdi as the head of the drone troops. Vadym Sukharevskyi is to modernize the entire command structure as the new deputy commander of the Eastern Army Group, said Zelensky. Ukraine is under severe pressure at the front in the ongoing Russian invasion, which has lasted more than three years. Politically, Zelensky called for further sanctions to be imposed on Russia following its missile strike on Sumy, in which four civilians were killed and about 30 injured. He said that Russian President Vladimir Putin would not change his tactics unless he was put under greater pressure.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ukrainian Ground Forces commander to remain in service despite resignation
Commander of the Ukrainian Ground Forces Mykhailo Drapatyi has announced that he will remain in service despite submitting a resignation request on 1 June 2025 following a Russian missile strike on a training ground. Source: Drapatyi on Facebook; Ukrainska Pravda sources Quote: "I had a lengthy discussion with the President. I reported all known details of the training ground tragedy – each step, who was present, who was responsible for the personnel, and who should have acted. I explained my reasons for resigning. The President listened, supported me, and urged me to focus on the war, the front and victory." Drapatyi added that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has assigned him a new task. "I remain in service, on the front line, where I belong and can contribute most," he wrote. Sources told Ukrainska Pravda that Drapatyi will lead the Command of the Joint Forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Background On 1 June, Russia launched a missile strike on a training unit of Ukraine's Ground Forces. At least 12 soldiers are known to have been killed and over 60 injured. Drapatyi submitted his resignation that day, citing his inability to fully enforce orders as commander. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
