Resignation of the Commander of the Ukrainian Ground Forces After Tragedy
The Commander of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Mykhailo Drapatiy, announced his resignation following a tragic shelling that resulted in the deaths of our defenders. He called this decision a reflection of his personal responsibility.
In his social media announcement, the general stated that this was a «conscious step», driven by his awareness of his role in the deaths of soldiers at the training ground.
«I have decided to submit my resignation. This is a conscious step, dictated by my sense of responsibility for the tragedy in which our soldiers died», — he wrote.
Drapatiy acknowledged that as a commander, he was unable to fully ensure the execution of his orders and did not change the situation within the army. «This is my responsibility», — he emphasized.
He also mentioned that the primary responsibility for the lives of soldiers always lies with the command. The general condemned the culture of impunity within the military, calling it «poison for the army».
«We cannot live in a system that does not learn. Without personal responsibility — there is no progress. Without progress — there is no victory», — he stressed.
According to Drapatiy, 12 soldiers from the training battalion died as a result of the shelling, and there are also injured. Most of the deceased were in shelters. «They were meant to learn, live, and fight — not to die», — he added, expressing condolences to the families of the deceased.
The general initiated a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances of the tragedy, including the actions of commanders, the condition of shelters, and the alert systems.
It should be noted that Mykhailo Drapatiy became the commander of the Ukrainian Ground Forces in 2024, previously holding several command positions, including Deputy Commander of the Operational Command «South».
