Ukrainian Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Drapaty Is Reorganizing The General Staff

• 29.09.2026, 10:33

Those with combat experience will remain in their positions.

Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Mykhailo Drapaty has initiated a review of the officer corps serving in the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, with the aim of retaining primarily those who have combat experience and are capable of commanding troops.

This was reported on Tuesday, September 29, by “Ukrainska Pravda” on Tuesday, September 29, citing a source identified as one of the General Staff’s officers.

According to him, on Monday, September 28, Drapaty gathered the heads of all structural units of the General Staff and made his expectations quite clear.

“The main message is this: if we demand that the troops change, we must start with ourselves,” — UP quotes its source as saying.

He added that one of the first steps is to review the personnel roster. By Friday, October 2, the heads of departments must provide data on General Staff officers and generals who, since 2022, have had no practical experience carrying out combat missions as part of formations at the battalion, brigade, corps, or military group levels.

“Combat experience, of course, is not the only criterion for professionalism, but during wartime, the strategic staff cannot lose touch with what is actually happening on the ground,” the officer noted.

He also emphasized that this does not mean the automatic dismissal of all officers lacking combat experience. According to him, some of them will be assigned to the troops. Positions in the General Staff will be filled by officers with up-to-date combat experience.

In addition, by October 2, officers who are already eligible for retirement must make a decision regarding their future.

The source also noted that Drapato’s decision has met with some resistance. In particular, some are trying to avoid the transfer or resolve the issue through the Chief of the General Staff.