Former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has welcomed the appointment of Maj. Gen. Mykhailo Drapatyi as Ukraine’s new Commander-in-Chief, calling the reshuffle “a breath of fresh air and new hope” for the country’s defense. President Volodymyr Zelensky announced Tuesday that Drapatyi would replace Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, marking one of the most significant military leadership changes since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. The decision came after days of public pressure following Fedorov’s July 15 dismissal as defense minister, a move that triggered protests and sharpened debate over the future of Ukraine’s military modernization. For supporters of the former minister, Drapatyi’s appointment signals that Zelensky has heard calls for a faster, more technology-driven approach to the war. The decision from the top Zelensky announced the leadership change during his evening address after consultations with senior defense officials, including acting Defense Minister Yevhen Khmara and Pavlo Palisa, Deputy Head of the President’s Office. “I have decided that Mykhailo Drapatyi will become the new Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine,” Zelensky said. The president also said he had met with Syrskyi and Chief of the General Staff Andriy Hnatov to discuss the handover of responsibilities and further service arrangements.