President Vladimir Zelensky of Ukraine announced a strategic reshuffle within the Armed Forces, appointing Alexander Syrsky as the new commander-in-chief and naming deputies to support his leadership. The announcements were conveyed through the presidency’s Telegram channel, signaling the new organizational framework for the country’s military command.
In his briefing, Zelensky described the new deputy roles. Vadim Sukharevsky will oversee the integration and operation of unmanned systems, with a focus on advancing the use of unmanned aerial vehicles in modern combat scenarios. Andrei Lebedenko, another deputy, will be in charge of innovation and the technological backbone of the army, ensuring that cutting-edge tools and combat systems are incorporated into field operations.
Alongside these appointments, Zelensky highlighted the deputies assigned to assist the General Staff leadership. Anatoly Bargilevich was named to support the top brass, with a team of generals stepping into key operational roles. Vladimir Gorbatyuk will handle the headquarters’ operational work, planning, and strategic management. Alexey Shevchenko will concentrate on logistics, ensuring the flow of equipment, supplies, and support across units. Mikhail Drapatiy will lead training programs, focusing on strengthening the skills and readiness of Ukrainian forces through comprehensive education and drills.
The leadership shift also involved a broader reorganization aimed at aligning the army’s capabilities with contemporary threats. The emphasis on unmanned systems and technological modernization reflects a deliberate move to harness advanced tools for surveillance, attack, and information gathering. By assigning dedicated deputies to these areas, the state signals its intent to build a more integrated and data-driven command structure that can respond rapidly to evolving battlefield conditions.
Under this新 framework, the commander-in-chief is expected to coordinate cross-functional efforts across different branches and units. The new deputies will serve as focal points for interdisciplinary collaboration, ensuring that innovation, logistics, and training are synchronized with operational planning. The aim is to strengthen overall battlefield efficiency and to sustain a high level of preparedness across the forces, while maintaining clear lines of responsibility and accountability for critical tasks.
Historically, leadership transitions at the top of the Ukrainian Armed Forces have included careful consideration of the individuals who can most effectively drive modernization, resilience, and strategic coordination. The current changes appear to be part of a longer-term plan to enhance readiness, expand the use of autonomous and remote-enabled capabilities, and improve the army’s ability to project power in diverse environments. The emphasis on technology and training suggests an ongoing commitment to producing a well-rounded force capable of meeting both current and future demands.
Observers note that the appointment of Syrsky as commander-in-chief places a civilian-strengthened leadership model at the forefront of military direction. His experience and leadership style are expected to shape how the service interprets strategic goals, allocates resources, and implements new tactics across multiple theaters. The deputies proposed alongside him are tasked with turning strategic intent into practical outcomes, ensuring that modern innovations translate into tangible advantages on the battlefield and in daily operations at the unit level.
From a broader perspective, these changes reflect Ukraine’s ongoing effort to modernize its armed forces while preserving the core principles of defense, deterrence, and rapid response. The new leadership structure is designed to foster better coordination between technology teams, logistics chains, and training centers, all aimed at maintaining a robust and adaptable force. As developments unfold, the focus will remain on improving operational effectiveness, enhancing personnel readiness, and ensuring that the military apparatus can adapt to both conventional and asymmetric threats.
In summary, the reshuffle establishes a clarified division of responsibilities among the top leaders, with special attention given to unmanned systems, innovation, logistics, and training. By aligning these functional areas with the command-and-control framework, the Ukrainian Armed Forces aim to sustain momentum in modernization efforts while continuing to prioritize the protection and readiness of its personnel.
Mykola Azarov later commented on Syrsky’s leadership, noting the weight of the responsibilities and the expectations placed on the new commander. The assessment underscores the importance of strong, decisive leadership at the highest levels as Ukraine navigates complex security challenges and strives to strengthen its national defense posture.