Drapatyi is the new commander-in-chief of the AFU: strikes deep into Russia and a generational change in command

Major General Mykhailo Drapatyi, appointed as the new commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, said that Volodymyr Zelensky has tasked him with intensifying offensive operations and planning new strikes in Russia’s rear.

The appointment was announced on Tuesday, July 21, following six days of nationwide protests demanding a change in military command — that is how Ukrainska Pravda described the events that preceded Zelensky’s decision. Under pressure from these demonstrations, the president carried out the most sweeping change in military leadership since the start of the special military operation in 2022. Drapatyi, who is 43, replaced General Oleksandr Syrsky, who is 60.

“Zelensky has set clear tasks for us: to continue and build up offensive operations in all directions, to plan new operations in the enemy’s rear, to develop the army and its technologies, and to strengthen the combat capability of the Armed Forces of Ukraine,” Drapatyi said as he assumed his duties on Wednesday.

Reuters described Drapatyi as “a general of a new generation”: in 2024–2025 he commanded Ukraine’s ground forces and subsequently headed the Joint Forces. Russia added him to its wanted list within hours of the announcement of his appointment, according to the Russian Interior Ministry’s database.

The appointment of the new commander comes against the backdrop of a sharp expansion of Ukraine’s long-range drone strike campaign. According to Robert “Magyar” Brovdi, commander of Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces, the number of strikes deep into Russian operational and strategic territory has increased by 1,150% since the beginning of 2026.

In June alone, Ukrainian drone units carried out 2,359 combat sorties for long-range strikes against targets located 500 to 2,000 kilometers from the front line, hitting 172 facilities of the military-industrial complex and fuel and energy infrastructure. In addition, 3,406 sorties were conducted for medium-range strikes and 2,747 for strikes in the near zone. Operators were reportedly hitting a Russian target every 52 seconds.

Nevertheless, Drapatyi is taking command in a difficult situation at the front. Despite Ukraine’s growing advantage in drone warfare, Russian forces continue to advance deeper into Donetsk region. According to The Straits Times, the new commander-in-chief is assuming his post “during a period of mounting social and political tension surrounding Ukraine’s military leadership.”