Mykhailo Drapatyi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mykhailo Drapatyi
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Михайло Драпатий
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Drapatyi in 2022
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| Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine | |
| Assumed office 21 July 2026 |
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| President | Volodymyr Zelenskyy |
| Preceded by | Oleksandr Syrskyi |
| Commander of the Joint Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine | |
| In office 3 June 2025 – 21 July 2026 |
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| President | Volodymyr Zelenskyy |
| Preceded by | Andrii Hnatov |
| Commander of the Ukrainian Ground Forces | |
| In office 29 November 2024 – 1 June 2025 |
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| President | Volodymyr Zelenskyy |
| Preceded by | Oleksandr Pavliuk |
| Succeeded by | Hennadii Shapovalov |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Mykhailo Vasyliovych Drapatyi
21 November 1982 Kamianets-Podilskyi, Ukrainian SSR, Soviet Union |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | National Defense University of Ukraine Ivan-Chernyakhovsky |
| Awards |
List
Cross of Military Merit
Order of Bohdan Khmelnytsky, 1st - 3rd class Hero of Ukraine Firearms award of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine Queen's Sword of the United Kingdom |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Ukraine |
| Branch/service |  Ukrainian Ground Forces |
| Rank | .svg){kind=small} Major General
 Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine |
| Unit | Office of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine |
| Commands |
List
72nd Mechanized Brigade (2nd Battalion)
30th Mechanized Brigade (Chief of Staff/First Deputy Commander) 58th Motorized Brigade Odesa Operational-Strategic Group Kharkiv Operational-Tactical Group Luhansk Operational-Tactical Group Commander of the Ground Forces Commander of the Joint Forces |
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Mykhailo Vasyliovych Drapatyi (Ukrainian: Михайло Васильович Драпатий; born 21 November 1982) is a respected Ukrainian military officer. As of 21 July 2026, he holds the important position of Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Before this, he led the Joint Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine from 3 June 2025. He also served as commander of the Ukrainian Ground Forces from 2024 to 2025. Throughout his career, he has commanded several key military units and has been recognized with significant awards for his service.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Mykhailo Drapatyi was born in Kamianets-Podilskyi, Ukraine, on November 21, 1982. After finishing high school, he went to the Kharkiv Institute of Tank Troops. He graduated in 2004. He then began his military service as a Lieutenant in the 72nd Mechanized Brigade. This brigade is based in Bila Tserkva, Kyiv Oblast.
Military Career
Mykhailo Drapatyi's first command was as a Major. He led the second battalion of the 72nd Mechanized Brigade.
Early Commands and Brave Actions
In April 2014, his battalion was sent to eastern Ukraine. They helped in the Battle of Mariupol in May. On May 9, when a police station in Mariupol was under threat, Drapatyi's battalion moved in with armored vehicles. He led the charge, breaking through a barrier to help the defenders. This brave action was even shown on international news.
In June that year, his battalion joined other units on a mission near the Russian border. Their goal was to stop opposing forces from getting supplies from Russia. They traveled far and secured several areas. However, they soon found themselves surrounded by enemy forces. To escape, they had to travel through a difficult area without much help. While some units had to make tough decisions, Drapatyi bravely led 260 soldiers and 30 military vehicles in a three-day breakout. This daring escape was successful, bringing them back to safety, though one soldier was lost.
After his battalion was reorganized, he became a Lieutenant Colonel. He then enrolled in the National Defense University of Ukraine in 2014. After graduating, he became Chief of Staff and First Deputy Commander of the 30th Mechanized Brigade.
Leading Brigades and Operational Groups
He took command of the 58th Motorized Infantry Brigade on October 17, 2016. In June 2017, he earned his Masters at an advanced military level. In July, he began directing operations in the Joint Forces Operation zone near the Bakhmut highway. In April 2019, he became a Colonel. He handed over command in August 2019 to continue his studies at the National Defence University. He graduated on June 18, 2021, as the top student. For this achievement, he received the Queen's Sword of the United Kingdom.
He was then appointed as Deputy Commander of Operational Command North. In August 2021, he also became Deputy Commander of the Joint Forces for training. He was promoted to Brigadier General on December 6 that year. On March 17, 2022, he became Deputy Commander of the Southern Command of the UGF. He led the Kakhovka Operational Group of Forces from June 15 and the Kryvyi Rih Operational Group of Forces from September 30. Under his leadership, his forces stopped enemy advances and counterattacked. They advanced several kilometers and freed many settlements in Kherson and Dnipropetrovsk Oblasts.
In 2023, he was appointed to lead the Odesa Operational-Strategic Group. In this role, he greatly increased the use of drones and electronic warfare. He also improved how this equipment worked together. Before January 12, 2024, he also commanded the Kherson Special Operations Command. On February 10, 2024, he became the Deputy Chief of the General Staff for training.
Stabilizing the Front Lines
When a new offensive began in Kharkiv on May 10, 2024, Mykhailo Drapatyi was chosen to lead the Kharkiv Operational-Tactical Group. He took command on May 12. Under his leadership, teamwork and planning greatly improved. This helped to stabilize the situation and stop further enemy advances. His efforts later led to Ukrainian forces moving forward in Lyptsi.
Drapatyi also commanded the Luhansk Operational-Tactical Group between September 5 and 10, 2024. There, he again improved the situation on the front line. He was later appointed as the Commander of the Ukrainian Ground Forces on November 29, 2024.
Commander of the Ukrainian Ground Forces
On December 12, 2024, Drapatyi announced big changes for the Ukrainian Ground Forces (UGF). These included making recruitment fairer, improving training for modern battles, and using more advanced technology. In January 2025, he inspected the UGF to check how things were managed and if rules were followed. He found some challenges with units like the 155th Mechanized Brigade and the 156th Separate Mechanised Brigade. These units faced difficulties, and some soldiers left. To help, Drapatyi introduced new training, brought in experienced leaders, and provided more equipment. Similar steps were taken for the 156th Brigade to make them stronger.
In addition to his duties, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appointed Drapatyi as the commander of the Khortytsia Operational-Strategic Group on January 26, 2025. This area was described as having "the most intense areas of combat."
On June 1, 2025, Mykhailo Drapatyi stepped down as commander of the Ukrainian Ground Forces. This decision came after a serious incident at a training base where soldiers were harmed. Drapatyi explained that he felt responsible for ensuring his orders were carried out correctly. He believed that leaders should always take responsibility and learn from tough situations. He resigned because he felt his efforts to improve this mindset within the Ground Forces had not fully succeeded.
Commander of the Joint Forces
On June 3, 2025, President Zelenskyy appointed him to lead the Ukrainian military's Joint Forces Command. Hennadii Shapovalov succeeded him as Commander of the Ground Forces on June 19, 2025.
Commander-in-Chief
Mykhailo Drapatyi became the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on July 21, 2026. He replaced Oleksandr Syrskyi. This appointment followed a week of public discussions about the removal of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov.
Awards
Mykhailo Drapatyi has received many important awards for his service. He received the full Order of Bohdan Khmelnytskyi, with awards in August 2016, 2018, and July 2022. He also received the Cross of Military Merit and the Firearms award from the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.
Personal Life
Mykhailo Drapatyi is married and has two children, a son and a daughter.
