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Reflecting on the high-level leadership change, Zaluzhnyi warned that Drapatyi will face an exceptionally difficult road ahead while praising his personal character and moral standing.
"It will be very difficult for the new Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Significantly harder than he imagines," Zaluzhnyi stated.
"However, he will certainly never be ashamed. A man of honor has no idols, so he has nothing to lose. The only thing he has is his duty."
Read also: Zelenskyy fires Syrskyi, appoints Drapatyi Commander-in-Chief
Zaluzhnyi added that military service to the nation is grounded in moral principles and core values that define personal honor.
"Honor, which is more valuable than any position or award. It is what creates ideas and seeks ways to implement them," ambassador declared.
"And it is what compels one to seek people who will carry their heavy cross with honor alongside you. Those who think and act otherwise will always, sooner or later, face disgrace," the ambassador declared.
Leadership Overhaul: Syrskyi's dismissal and Drapatyi's rise
On the evening of July 21, 2026, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy officially announced that Oleksandr Syrskyi was stepping down from his post, with Joint Forces Commander Mykhailo Drapatyi taking over as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Read also: Zelenskyy dismissed Syrskyi to sidestep demands for Fedorov's return
The military shakeup follows public protests across Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities triggered by the resignation of former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov on July 16. Upon his departure, Fedorov accused Syrskyi of systematically blocking defense reform initiatives and engaging in political maneuvering.
Drapatyi publicly aligned with Fedorov, asserting that the Defense Ministry's recent leadership had made genuine efforts to modernize military administrative practices and solve operational bottlenecks affecting frontline troops:
Drapatyi noted that over the past six months, the Defense Ministry acted as a proactive partner demanding faster decision-making, systemic accountability, and direct support for initiative-taking commanders.
He previously served as Commander of the Ground Forces, submitting his resignation in June 2025 following a Russian strike on a military training range to accept personal responsibility. He famously stated: "An army where commanders bear personal responsibility for human lives is alive. An army where no one is held accountable for losses dies from within."
Drapatyi was appointed Joint Forces Commander in June 2025. His predecessor, Oleksandr Syrskyi, had led the Armed Forces of Ukraine since February 2024, when he originally replaced Valerii Zaluzhnyi.
Read also: Fedorov calls Syrskyi after Zelenskyy replaced him with Drapatyi
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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Section: Nation
Author: Дарина Халперина
