Syrskyi officially hands over command of Ukraine's armed forces to Drapat

Oleksandr Syrskyi has officially relinquished his duties as Commander of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, passing the baton to Major General Mykola Drapat in a formal ceremony. The transition, reported by RBC-Ukraine, saw Ukraine's acting Defense Minister Yevhen Hura introduce the new military leadership to the General Staff.

During the handover, Syrskyi officially transferred his command authority to Drapat. He extended his best wishes to the incoming military leadership, expressing hope for their strength, resilience, and wise decision-making. "A new stage begins. I wish the new military leadership strength, endurance, wise decisions, unity with the army, and victory," Syrskyi stated.

Syrskyi underscored the critical role of strategic choices in the ongoing conflict. "May every decision bring Ukraine closer to peace, and may every order protect the lives of our soldiers and deliver crushing blows to the enemy," he added. This handover follows President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's appointment of Drapat as the new commander on July 21, 2026, replacing Syrskyi.

Upon his appointment, Drapat had expressed gratitude to Syrskyi for his "consistent work in strengthening the Ukrainian army," noting that he had grown under Syrskyi's leadership. The change in command marks a significant moment for Ukraine's military as it continues its defense efforts.