Who Is Mykhailo Drapaty, The Incoming Commander-in-chief Of The Armed Forces Of Ukraine?

He has already achieved a breakthrough from the “Izvaryn Cauldron,” halted the offensive on Kryvyi Rih, and participated in the liberation of the Kherson region.

Major General Mikhail Drapaty will become the new Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. His achievements include breaking out of the “Izvarin Cauldron,” halting the offensive on Kryvyi Rih, and participating in the liberation of the right bank of the Kherson region.

RBC-Ukraine reports on what is known about the future new commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

“The Flying BMP” in Mariupol and the Breakout from the “Izvaryn Cauldron”

The military career of 43-year-old Mykhailo Drapaty began in the 72nd Separate Mechanized Brigade. At the start of the Russian aggression in May 2014, he commanded the 2nd Battalion of the 72nd Separate Mechanized Brigade, which participated in the rescue of hostages in Mariupol.

That is precisely where the famous video of the “flying BMP” was filmed—the one that rammed through and flew over a barricade set up by pro-Russian militants at high speed. The order for this assault was given directly by Drapaty, who was inside the armored vehicle at the time.

That summer, the unit found itself caught in a heavy ring of fire near the border in the Luhansk region. Under prolonged artillery fire from Russian territory, Drapaty took charge and led 260 fighters and more than 30 pieces of equipment out of the “Izvarin Cauldron,” covering 160 km under fire.

Later, he commanded the 58th Separate Motorized Infantry Brigade and carried out missions in Avdiivka and along the Bakhmut highway. While studying at the National Defense University, he was awarded the Queen’s Sword as the top graduate.

The Defense of Kryvyi Rih and the Liberation of Kherson

Drapatiy was serving as deputy commander of the Joint Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine when Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022.

Key milestones in the commander’s career:

March 2022 – He led the “South” operational task force, which halted the advance of Russian troops toward Kryvyi Rih.

Fall 2022 – He led the “Kherson” task force during the successful operation to liberate the right bank of the Kherson region.

May 2024 – took command of the “Kharkiv” Operational-Tactical Group amid a new offensive by the occupiers and halted the threat near Volchansk.

September 2024—Appointed head of the “Luhansk” Operational-Tactical Group.

In October 2024, Mykhailo Drapaty was promoted to the rank of major general.

Command of the Ground Forces and Joint Forces

In November 2024, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appointed Major General Drapaty as commander of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. In this position, he replaced Oleksandr Pavliuk.

At the time, the head of state noted the effective organization of the defense in the Kharkiv sector under Drapaty’s leadership.

In June 2025, Drapaty resigned from his post as commander of the Ground Forces following several Russian strikes on training centers.

Following a conversation with the president, Drapaty was reassigned to the position of Commander of the Joint Forces. He has held this position until today.

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