Ukraine’s military chief Drapatyi launches sweeping review of General Staff officer corps

Ukrainian Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Mykhailo Drapatyi has initiated a comprehensive review of the General Staff officer corps, aiming to eliminate personnel lacking combat and command experience, according to Ukrayinska Pravda on September 29. The decision came after Drapatyi convened General Staff department heads on September 28 to set clear expectations.

Drapatyi emphasized that initiating change within the troops requires starting with themselves. A personnel review is among the first steps, with commanders required to submit performance data on all General Staff officers and generals who have not had practical combat experience commanding units since 2022 by October 2. While combat experience is not the sole measure of professionalism, a strategic headquarters must maintain touch with frontline troops' reality during wartime.

Drapatyi clarified that the review does not imply automatic dismissal for officers lacking combat experience; some will be reassigned to combat units, while those with recent combat experience will assume positions within the General Staff. Officers eligible for retirement must decide on their future by October 2. Resistance to the decision has emerged within the ranks, with some officers attempting to block transfers or pursue alternative resolutions through the Chief of the General Staff.

In September 2, Drapatyi outlined the core principles guiding his command, asserting that service members constitute the military's primary value. Recently, Drapatyi rescinded over 30 outdated General Staff orders covering military training and paperwork requirements, according to Vitalii Sarantsev, head of communications for the 14th Army Corps.