Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signed a series of decrees announcing a major reshuffle within the country’s military leadership, marking one of the most significant reorganizations since the start of the full-scale war with Russia.
The most notable change includes the appointment of Mykhailo Drapatyi as the new commander of Ukraine’s Joint Forces. Drapatyi had recently resigned from his role as commander of the Land Forces following a deadly Russian missile strike that targeted a military training center in the Dnipropetrovsk region, killing 12 soldiers and injuring more than 60.
Although Russia has not confirmed or denied responsibility for the attack, the event appears to have prompted urgent shifts in Ukraine’s command structure.
Another key decree approved Robert Brovdi as the new commander of the Unmanned Systems Forces, a position central to Ukraine’s drone warfare operations. He replaces Vadym Sukharevskyi, who originally held the post since its creation last year.
Meanwhile, Ihor Skybiuk was dismissed as commander of the Air Assault Forces and replaced by Oleh Apostol, who has served as deputy commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces since November. Additionally, Oleksandr Bilous was relieved of his duties as deputy commander of the National Guard.
In a national video address later in the evening, President Zelensky said he had held an in-depth meeting with military leadership, including Drapatyi, who was tasked with focusing entirely on frontline operations as the new head of Joint Forces.
Zelensky added that responsibilities like recruitment reform, training, and structural adjustments in the Land Forces would be taken up by new leadership, though specific names have yet to be announced.
Following the reshuffle, Sukharevskyi has been appointed as commander of Operational Command East, while Skybiuk will now serve as deputy chief of the General Staff.
The presidential decrees did not offer specific reasons for the changes, but the moves are widely seen as part of a broader effort to enhance operational effectiveness and adaptability in the face of an intensifying conflict.
