Drapaty announced changes to the Ukrainian Armed Forces' service system
The Armed Forces of Ukraine have adopted the “Principles of Leadership”—a document outlining eight priorities for the development of the military. The command has identified people as the top priority and outlined new principles for organizing military service.
Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Major General Mykhailo Drapatiy, released the document “Principles of Leadership of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and Military Development in Wartime.”
It sets forth the intent, eight priorities, fourteen requirements for commanders at all levels, and eight expectations for headquarters. Specific tasks and performance metrics will be outlined in separate documents.
The document’s central theme concerns not equipment or structures, but people.
The document states that the most valuable asset of the Ukrainian Armed Forces is our people. Therefore, every commander is obligated to protect them.
From this follow the commander’s duties: to prepare soldiers for combat, protect them from unnecessary risk, care for the wounded, honor the memory of the fallen, and support their families.
Drapatiy emphasizes that caring for people is not separate from combat effectiveness but is its foundation, and he requires commanders to distinguish between decisiveness and recklessness.
Support does not end with military service: veterans must be provided with assistance, rehabilitation, recognition, and opportunities—in collaboration with the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Veterans Affairs, government agencies, and volunteers.
For the first time, the Commander-in-Chief’s guiding principles address what service members and their families ask about most often: terms of service, rotation, and discharge procedures. The document declares the intention to reform the system of recruitment, training, service, rotation, retention, and discharge so that it takes into account the needs of both the military and the service members themselves.
“To ensure conditions under which military service is predictable, fair, and professional, and personnel decisions are based on the needs of the military, professionalism, and performance,” the document states.
The document requires commanders and staff to provide honest assessments, without allowing optimism, fear, or ambition to distort reality. It specifically emphasizes that there is no place in the Armed Forces for corruption, abuse of power, harassment, or discrimination, and that every commander must use state resources responsibly.
For headquarters at all levels, the document establishes a guiding question: “Does this enhance our ability to fight and succeed?” If not, the process must be changed. The headquarters must “be smaller where possible, faster where necessary, and become more useful every day.”
Another priority is to adapt and implement innovations faster than the enemy in order to accomplish missions with fewer casualties. Drapaty calls for creating an environment in which “good ideas can come from any service member, regardless of rank or position,” and for fighting as a unified force.
Source: Armed Forces of Ukraine
On the morning of September 2, Russian troops continued their attack on Ukraine with strike drones. Explosions were heard in Kyiv and the Kyiv region, where air defense forces are operating.
On the night of September 1, Russia launched a massive strike against Ukraine using missiles and more than 170 drones. Air defense forces repelled the attack, during which the enemy used, among other things, “Iskander” and “Banderole” missiles.
Russian troops attacked one of the industrial facilities in the Poltava district. Rescue workers were on the scene following the enemy strike.
