Mikheil Drapatyi summarizes his half-year work as Commander of the Ground Forces and shares plans for further steps in reforming the Ukrainian army
Mikheil Drapatyi, a former Commander of the Ground Forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, recently presented a broad overview of his work, highlighting key achievements and challenges encountered during his leadership. According to the military officer, his mission was to facilitate an internal transformation of the system, which, prior to his appointment, was in a state of significant management stagnation and ongoing internal crises. In his statement published on his Facebook page, Drapatyi openly discussed the state in which he took command. He emphasized that at that time, the leadership of the Ground Forces was enveloped in an atmosphere of fear, lacked initiative, and was closed to dialogue with subordinates. He noted a clear division between the headquarters’ management and the units, and that systemic abuses, кадрові рішення за знайомствами (clan-based personnel decisions), and low internal organizational coherence only worsened the situation. He stated that the leadership was resistant to change, and even the internal system of values contributed to maintaining old models. However, his main goal was to change this system from within. Over six months, he managed to update approximately half of the leadership in key functional areas that directly influence the development of a modern army. Notably, he succeeded in reelecting the management of the Territorial Recruitment and Mobilization Centers (TRMC), which previously operated under an outdated and inefficient model, transforming it into a modern, open, transparent, and corruption-free system. Drapatyi pointed out that his efforts are aimed at fostering a new culture of responsibility and transparency within the command. "We aimed to shift from a culture of fear to a culture of responsibility," he emphasized. "Decisions are now made not by the number of familiar contacts or loyalty, but based on analysis of the situation, outcomes, and respect for subordinates. For the first time, bottom-up initiative is no longer a threat but a valuable resource," the Commander added. At the same time, Drapatyi acknowledged that systemic resistance to reforms remains significant. Changes did not happen rapidly or without difficulties, as the structure continued to attempt to preserve itself and avoid radical transformations, pursuing self-preservation. This complicated the implementation of some кадрові рішення (personnel decisions) and slowed further development. Based on the results achieved over several months, the Commander highlights several key changes in the structure and operational processes of the army. In particular, updating the leadership of the TRMC involved over half of the positions related to mobilization and recruitment. Moreover, work is ongoing to develop new models for this system, focused on openness, objectivity, and anti-corruption measures. Drapatyi reported on a structural reorganization of the military training system and increased efficiency in managing the use of unmanned aerial vehicles, electronic warfare, and cybersecurity. Among the innovations are the appointment of young and progressive leaders in these areas, who better understand the real needs at the front. These changes have facilitated quicker access to drones, munitions, components, and modern tactics. Furthermore, Drapatyi’s team is working on digital transformation of the management system, which holds significant potential for increasing operational efficiency. Reforms in logistics support are also underway, allowing for faster and more systematic supply of the front with necessary equipment and materials. The Commander also noted improvements in communication with society and personnel, which help strengthen trust and lay the foundation for further reforms. "This is not the end; it’s only a transition to a new stage in the development of our army," he concluded. The background to this important event was the tragedy of June 1, when Russian forces carried out a missile strike on a Ukrainian Ground Forces training unit. According to preliminary data, at least 12 military personnel were killed, and over 60 were wounded. On that day, Dmitry Drapatyi submitted his resignation, feeling that he had not been able to fully fulfill his duties. Despite this, President Zelensky later appointed him Commander of the United Forces of Ukraine so that he could focus more on combat missions and strategies for defending the country. Overall, this period was marked not only by internal management difficulties but also by a new vision for training, modernization, and strengthening of the Armed Forces. The reforms initiated by Drapatyi aim to make the Ukrainian army more modern, mobile, and capable of confronting the challenges of contemporary warfare.