Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has appointed Brigadier General Hennadiy Shapovalov as the new Commander of Ukraine’s Ground Forces, following the resignation of Mykhailo Drapatyi after a deadly Russian missile strike on a military training site in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast.
🪖 Shapovalov’s Credentials and NATO Experience
Shapovalov, 47, brings a wealth of experience to the role:
- Former Commander of Operational Command South
- Served as liaison officer at NATO’s coordination center in Germany
- Headed Ukraine’s NATO Support Task Unit in Wiesbaden, Germany
- Graduate of the U.S. Army War College and Ukraine’s National Defense University
President Zelenskyy emphasized that Shapovalov’s NATO coordination experience and combat leadership will be vital in implementing reforms and enhancing operational readiness.
“Changes are needed and this is an imperative,” Zelenskyy said in his nightly address.
🔄 Drapatyi Reassigned Amid Restructuring
Former commander Mykhailo Drapatyi, who stepped down earlier this month, has been reassigned as Commander of Ukraine’s Joint Forces. His resignation followed a missile strike that killed at least 12 Ukrainian soldiers, prompting an internal investigation into command accountability.
🛡️ Strategic Implications
Shapovalov’s appointment is seen as part of a broader military leadership overhaul aimed at improving coordination with Western allies and modernizing Ukraine’s defense structure amid intensifying Russian offensives.
Stay tuned for updates on Ukraine’s evolving military leadership.
