Zelensky makes significant changes among senior military officials

2025-06-23 03:35:10

(MENAFN) Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has made significant changes among high-ranking military personnel in an effort to address major challenges within the nation’s compulsory recruitment system, which has faced widespread resistance and operational setbacks, according to reports.

On Friday, Zelensky appointed Brigadier General Gennady Shapovalov as the new head of Ukraine’s ground forces, replacing Mikhail Drapaty. Alongside this, several other key military figures were reassigned.

As stated by Ukraine's military leadership, Shapovalov will concentrate on "increasing the combat capability of the army, improve the mobilization system and training of military personnel, and implement innovative approaches to management according to NATO standards." Prior to this, Shapovalov led Ukraine’s liaison team involved in coordinating military support through NATO.

Reports highlight that the incoming commander will inherit a number of persistent problems. Efforts to modernize the draft process and military training have been slow and ineffective. The recruitment campaign has reportedly been "unpopular," and Zelensky is under growing external pressure to reduce the minimum age for conscription.

One particular initiative, a new voluntary contract program designed to bring in recruits aged 18 to 24, has seen poor results. As of April, only around 500 individuals signed up through this scheme, according to sources familiar with the figures from Kiev.

This leadership change comes after a nearly three-week gap following Drapaty’s resignation. Although he stepped down from his previous role, he has now taken over command of Ukraine’s joint forces, a unit tasked with aligning the country's military operations more closely with NATO procedures.

In his farewell message, Drapaty took responsibility for significant Russian attacks on Ukrainian training grounds. He criticized the internal workings of the military, stating that there is a “culture of mutual cover-up and impunity.”

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