Russia Issues Arrest Warrant for Ukraine’s New Commander-in-Chief Hours After Appointment
Russia’s Interior Ministry has issued an arrest warrant for Major General Mykhailo Drapatyi, Ukraine’s newly appointed Commander-in-Chief, just hours after President Volodymyr Zelensky officially announced his appointment.
Russian authorities added Drapatyi to the country’s wanted database but did not specify any new charges. Russian investigators had previously accused him in 2023 of overseeing military operations in eastern Ukraine between 2017 and 2019, alleging the operations resulted in 154 deaths and injuries.
The move comes as Ukraine undergoes a major military leadership reshuffle following the dismissal of General Oleksandr Syrskyi. Drapatyi, regarded as one of Ukraine’s most respected younger commanders, is known for leading the 2014 armored breakthrough to relieve Ukrainian police forces in Mariupol and for helping halt Russia’s offensive in the Kharkiv region in 2024. He has been recognized for emphasizing drone warfare and prioritizing troop safety.