How A 42 Year Old General Has Led Ukraine's New Offensive Successes

When Ukraine needed a new ground forces commander to replace General Syrski who had been promoted to lead the armed forces, it chose a relatively young man. But he was not a political favorite, he was arguably Ukraine's most decorated soldier, having been the 'fireman' who was sent to the most difficult sectors to grasp victory from defeat. And he is doing so again. 

Major General Mykhailo Drapatyi's performance has been so extraordinary that in addition to being commander of all Ukrainian ground forces, when the situation in Donbas, especially Pokrovsk, looked dire, he was also given command of the eastern (Donbas) front where Russia has concentrated its effort. His appointment reflected the growing belief that to best defend itself, Ukraine needed to go on the offensive. And under his leadership, it has, across the front. To the point where, as ceasefire/peace negotiations begin, he has reversed Russia's seemingly inexorable advances and begun to take back territory while decimating the increasingly weary and understrength Kremlin forces. JL

Decimus reports in Daily Kos and Espreso Ukraine reports:

In Donbas, Ukrainian forces are now taking advantage of their defensible interior lines and fast mobile mechanized forces to take the fight to the Russians by counterattacking and capturing critical locations such as Pischane, Kotlyne and Udachne; in Toretsk they have created hardened defensive/offensive strong points; and created another “Roach Motel” in Chasiv Yar (the Russians can come in but can’t get further). So when things looked dire at Pokrovsk, in addition to his duties as new Commander of Ground Forces (Syrskyi’s old job), 42 year old Major General Mykhailo Drapatyi was given command of the Eastern Front.  And in less than a month, Drapatyi has changed the situation for Ukraine.

American history recounts a moment when an embattled war President, our 16th, Abraham Lincoln, quietly listened to a group of Washington DC poohbahs  who had come to complain  to him about how the civil war was in their view going sideways for the Federals.  They ended by recommending that Lincoln fire his newly appointed overall commander of Union forces, Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant, a reputed “drunk”.  In his classic homespun western frontier-speak, Lincoln famously responded ... “I can’t spare the man. All I know is that he makes things git", meaning that Grant was a decisive and effective leader who got things done on the battlefield, without hesitation or unnecessary fuss. 

Ulysses  S. Grant was 42 years old when President Lincoln appointed him commander of Union forces in March 1864.   Roughly a year or so later, the tenacious tanner’s son from rural Ohio and the man some called “Useless Grant” during his days as an unsuccessful farmer, jack of all trades in St. Louis, had forced the redoubtable General Robert E. Lee into surrendering his Army of Northern Virginia in ol’ Wilmer McLean’s parlor at Appomattox Court House in rural South Central Virginia. The war was over.  The date was April 9th, 1865. 

The past week or so has brought news of Ukrainian forces having seemingly stabilized their front in Donetsk, especially near Pokrovsk where they’re now taking advantage of their short defensible interior lines and fast mobile mechanized forces to take the fight to the Russians by counterattacking and capturing critical locations such as Pischane, Kotlyne and blocking off Udachne to prevent the Russians from further expanding their western pincer around Pokrovsk. I hereby predict that in the coming days the Ukrainians will cut off that small Russian salient at Kotlyne altogether and refill their prisoner exchange fund.

Frontline report: Ukrainian precision counterstrikes near Pokrovsk exhausted Russian forces to breaking point

Despite facing stark disadvantages in manpower and resources, Ukrainian forces systematically dismantled Russian assault groups at Kotlyne in Donetsk Oblast through coordinated armor, drones, and infantry tactics.

euromaidanpress.com/...

It is not just Pokrovsk.  Recent news comes of the Ukrainians having evacuated the now pulverized high rise district in Toretsk and creating hardened defensive/offensive strong points on the Northern edges of the city.  From their new reinforced positions, the Ukrainians have basically created a “Roach Motel” in the center of Toretsk ... the Russians can come in but they cannot advance further on their ultimate goal of getting to the “other Pokrovsk” … Kostyantynivka.

 

The Ukrainians also predicted after evacuating Velyka Novosilka in the Mokri Yaly valley that the Russians will be trapped and not be able to break out towards the North .. creating another “Roach Motel”.  Chasiv Yar is also proving to be the same situation for the Russians … you can come in but you can’t get much further.

The aforementioned cities along with others constitute the front of what has become known in some quarters as the Ukrainian “Fortress Belt” in Donetsk Oblast:

Ukraine's "fortress belt" is a 50-kilometer-long line (approximately 31 miles) along the cities Slovyansk, Kramatorsk, Druzhkivka, and Kostyantynivka that forms the line of Kyiv's defenses in Donetsk Oblast, in eastern Ukraine. As of April 2024, the cities along the "fortress belt" sat between 12 and 30 kilometers (7.5 to 18.6 miles) from the front line.

www.newsweek.com/...

So why are the Ukrainians suddenly getting all jiggy with it?   General Syrskyi, the CIC of Ukrainian forces, has in recent months indicated on several occasions that Ukraine cannot expect to win this war by fighting strictly on the defensive.  Ukraine must deliberatively and selectively take the fight to the Russian enemy.  The man he selected and recommended to President Zelenskyi was 42 year old Major General Mykhailo Vasyliovych Drapatyi, arguably one of the most highly decorated soldiers in the Ukrainian armed forces at present. Since 2014 when Putin’s machinations in the Donbas began, Drapatyi has been in the thick of it.  And some of his swashbuckling exploits in battle have become legendary.  Wherever things are hottest, you will find Drapatyi. When the commander in charge of the Kharkiv front completely failed(he’s under arrest for dereliction of duty) during the Russian second attempt last year to invade Kharkiv Oblast resulting in the carnage as Vovchansk, etc.,  Drapatyi was rushed in to take control of the situation.  Not only did he manage to stabilize the situation, he went on the offensive which drove the Russians out of Vovchansk and now practically out of Kharkiv oblast. 

 

creating another “Roach Motel”.  Chasiv Yar is also proving to be the same situation for the Russians … you can come in but you can’t get much further. An so it is that when things looked dire at Pokrovsk, in addition to his regular duties as Commander of all Ground Forces(Syrskyi’s old job), President Zelenskyi on January 26 2025 appointed Drapatyi to  the most high profile and most critical front line command in the Ukrainian forces … the Khortysia Strategic Operations Group whose primary responsibility is the Eastern Front.  And in less than a month, Drapatyi has changed the situation on the Eastern front for Ukraine.  He’s that good.  And in Lincoln’s words …. wherever he is, he makes things git! 

 

Espreso Ukraine: Drapatyi, now 42, was born in 1982 in Kamianets-Podilskyi, Khmelnytskyi region. From a young age, he dreamed of serving in the military. After high school, he enrolled as a cadet at the Verkhovna Rada Institute of Tank Troops in Kharkiv.

Graduating in 2004, during the Orange Revolution, Lieutenant Mykhailo Drapatyi began his service in the 72nd Separate Mechanized Brigade. Over time, he married, became a father to a son and a daughter, but remained committed to his military career.

 

In 2014, when Russia’s aggression against Ukraine began, Major Drapatyi commanded the 2nd Mechanized Battalion of the 72nd Brigade, which was deployed to eastern Ukraine in April. By May, his units liberated Mariupol. In the iconic footage of a Ukrainian infantry fighting vehicle smashing through a separatist barricade, Drapatyi is seen as the vehicle commander. Together with driver-mechanic Dmytro Vorona, he led a column of four armored vehicles.

By June 2014, Drapatyi and his fighters launched a raid along the Russian border, cutting off supplies to the militants. Trapped under relentless shelling from Russian territory in the "Izvaryne Cauldron," Drapatyi led a daring breakthrough.

“There were days when we were under continuous fire for seven hours, facing all types of artillery and mortars. The odds were against us, no reinforcements came, we were running out of ammunition, and almost all equipment was damaged. When the time came, we had to break through. Not everyone made it out, but those who did became true heroes,” Drapatyi told.

In this operation, Drapatyi managed to lead 260 fighters, dozens of pieces of equipment, and soldiers from other brigades out of encirclement. This feat earned him immense respect among Ukraine’s military ranks.

Despite the challenges, Drapatyi continued his service and pursued further education at the National Defense University of Ukraine. In August 2016, he took command of the 58th Separate Motorized Infantry Brigade, operating in Avdiivka. After successfully completing his studies, he rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel, and in 2019, he was promoted to colonel.

"Putting out fires" in critical areas during Russia's full-scale invasion

 

At the start of Russia's full-scale invasion, Drapatyi served as the deputy commander of the Joint Forces within the Armed Forces, overseeing troop training. However, the worsening situation in the south required someone ready to quickly stabilize the front. That someone was Mykhailo Drapatyi, who, starting in March 2022, took charge of Operational Command "South."

Drapatyi managed to halt the Russian advance on Kryvyi Rih. Following this, the Operational Group of Forces "South" merged into the "Kherson" group, tasked with liberating the city. Later, Drapatyi emerged as one of the commanders leading the de-occupation of the right-bank Kherson region in 2022.

In 2023, little was reported about Drapatyi's work. But in early 2024, everything changed when President Volodymyr Zelenskyy decided to replace the Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Valeriy Zaluzhnyi, with Oleksandr Syrskyi. This shake-up brought new leadership across the army. In February 2024, Drapatyi was appointed Deputy Chief of the General Staff for Military Training.

By May 2024, after Russian forces breached Ukraine’s border in the Kharkiv region, the need for a capable leader to stabilize the situation arose once again. Drapatyi was called upon, just as he had been in March 2022. He was put in charge of the operational-tactical grouping of troops "Kharkiv," replacing Yuriy Halushkin, while retaining his role as Deputy Chief of the General Staff. Once again, Drapatyi proved his expertise, successfully stopping the Russian advance.

In September 2024, Drapatyi assumed command of the operational-tactical group "Luhansk," which oversees the area from Bilohorivka in the Luhansk region to New York in the Donetsk region. For his military accomplishments, Mykhailo Drapatyi was promoted to the rank of Major General in October 2024.

Reforms in Ukraine's Ground Forces: Old and new problems

On November 29, 2024, President Zelenskyy appointed Major General Mykhailo Drapatyi as the new commander of the Ground Forces of Ukraine. He is the third person in just a year (after Syrskyi and Pavliuk) to take on this role, highlighting the challenging circumstances, especially amid Russia’s ongoing offensive in the Donetsk region and the internal restructuring of the Armed Forces.

"The main task is to significantly boost the combat capability of our army, improve the quality of military training, and introduce innovative approaches to managing personnel in the Armed Forces. The Ukrainian army needs internal changes to fully achieve the goals of our state. Major General Drapatyi successfully organized defense in the Kharkiv direction and disrupted the Russian offensive," President Zelenskyy said, explaining Drapatyi’s appointment.

Zelenskyy’s decision was met with approval within the Armed Forces. Olena Mokrenchuk, the press officer of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, told Espreso that Drapatyi’s strategies are "always unexpected and unconventional, but meticulously calculated."

"He’s very effective. In this role, he’ll be able to perform even better. I believe that under his command, we’ll be able to push the Russians back," she added.

The Ground Forces are the largest component of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and carry out a range of missions, from defending the country’s territory to launching offensive operations. Their role is pivotal in the war with Russia: they hold defensive lines, organize counterattacks, liberate occupied territories, and support civilians in conflict zones.

The commander of the Ground Forces also provides strategic leadership, plans operations, allocates resources, and ensures coordination with other military branches.

In mid-December 2024, Drapatyi announced an ambitious transformation plan aimed at improving Ukraine’s position on the battlefield. According to him, these changes will address recruitment, personnel training, advanced technologies, combat management, digitalization, logistics, and social support.

Military training: Reforming training programs and centers with modern technology. Emphasis will be placed on practical skills, military leadership principles, and mastering technologies to handle the chaos of combat. Experienced sergeants will be the primary instructors.

Recruitment and social support: A transparent recruitment system with zero tolerance for corruption. Military personnel will receive support throughout their service and assistance transitioning to civilian life afterward.

Technology: Providing Ukrainian soldiers with a technological edge over their enemy.

Management optimization: Increasing administrative efficiency through digital systems and restructuring logistics and training processes.

Drapatyi stressed that these reforms have the full backing of President Zelenskyy and will be implemented step by step in collaboration with the General Staff, the Ministry of Defense, volunteers, and benefactors.

"Today, we’re building an army of the future — an army that will defeat the enemy and overcome every obstacle on the way of transformation," Drapatyi said.

However, by January, Drapatyi faced a longstanding problem: the 155th "Anna Kyivska" brigade, which wasn’t operational even before reaching the front lines. Drapatyi explained that systemic errors during the brigade’s formation were to blame.

Drapatyi's new task is to stop Russian forces in the Donetsk region: What experts say

In late January, military commentator and editor-in-chief of CensorNet, Yuriy Butusov, surprised many by reporting that Major General Mykhailo Drapatyi was set to lead the Khortytsia forces group.

"The army needs this move to halt the Russian offensive," the journalist said. He supported the decision, adding that this leadership change "will boost trust in the Ukrainian leadership within the active army and bring long-overdue systemic improvements to how the army is used and organized."

The very next day, Ukraine's president announced Drapatyi’s new role, while confirming he would continue leading the Ground Forces.

"I've ordered reinforcements for our troops in the Donetsk region. Major General Drapatyi will now command the Khortytsia operational-strategic group. This is where the fiercest battles are taking place," said the president. He explained that Drapatyi’s dual role would combine frontline operations with proper brigade training.

It’s worth noting that the Khortytsia group is a crucial unit within the Ukrainian Armed Forces, responsible for key tasks along the toughest sections of the front, spanning from Kupyansk to the Lyman direction and down to Velyka Novosilka.

Interestingly, before Drapatyi, the Khortytsia group had been led by Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi (from early 2022 to early 2024), who, like Drapatyi, also commanded the Ground Forces at the time. In 2024, the group saw leadership changes with Lieutenant General Yuriy Sodol and Brigadier General Andriy Hnatov taking command.

Drapatyi's appointment as head of the Khortytsia group has sparked mostly positive, though somewhat mixed reactions. On one hand, his experience, authority, and track record of handling crisis zones earn him the trust of both soldiers and the public. On the other, holding multiple roles might spread his focus too thin, potentially causing internal conflicts.

Volunteer Vitaliy Deyneha raised concerns about this dual-role arrangement, saying it could strain command dynamics and disrupt the chain of command. He pointed to past issues between Generals Syrskyi and Zaluzhnyi as a cautionary example.

Meanwhile, journalist Roman Kulchynskyi questioned whether deploying Drapatyi to tackle immediate challenges on the front was the best use of his abilities. He argued that Drapatyi could better serve by streamlining army operations to prevent such crises altogether, suggesting his place should be within the top echelons of military leadership.

Military expert Serhiy Zgurets, speaking on Espreso, tempered expectations, warning against hoping for a "quick miracle" from these personnel changes.

"This situation requires tackling deep-rooted systemic issues within the Defense Forces — such as a shortage of infantry and reserves, and management challenges stemming from the differing styles of combat operations carried out by various groupings and battalions. Therefore, Drapatyi will need to simultaneously plan and execute combat operations on a challenging section of the front while also prioritizing reserve training and restructuring staff. We must also keep in mind the need to transition to divisions or corps, which would address the inconsistencies in the use and deployment of individual brigades. And all of this responsibility falls on one person. This is an incredibly challenging task for Mykhailo Drapatyi," Zgurets said.

Analysts from DeepState described Drapatyi’s appointment as "a crucial and timely move, given the dire issues left by the previous leadership in the Khortytsia group, both on the front and in the public perception."