Stopping Russia in Donetsk: Who Is Mykhailo Drapatyi, new chief of Ukraine's eastern group?

Contents

1. Biography and military career of Drapatyi: The legendary breakthrough of the blockade in Mariupol
2. "Putting out fires" in critical areas during Russia's full-scale invasion
3. Reforms in Ukraine's Ground Forces: Old and new problems
4. Drapatyi's new task is to stop Russian forces in the Donetsk region: What experts say

Espreso will share what’s known about Major General Mykhailo Drapatyi, his combat path, and how Ukrainian society has reacted to this appointment.

Biography and military career of Drapatyi: The legendary breakthrough of the blockade in Mariupol

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."

"The new commander is well-respected and trusted by the troops, with a proven ability to address problems and stabilize critical areas," they noted. Analysts are optimistic Drapatyi can turn the tide in Ukraine's favor.