Video: Drapato's appointment caused panic among Russian propagandists
Russian military propagandist Alexander Sladkov reacted to the appointment of Mykhailo Drapato as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
He described the Ukrainian general as an experienced military officer who has been fighting since 2014.
According to Sladkov, with Drapato’s arrival, the Ukrainian command may act “more boldly” and resort to unconventional solutions more often.
At the same time, the propagandist claimed that the appointment itself would allegedly not change the situation on the front lines, after which he repeated typical propaganda narratives about the events in Mariupol.
Russian propaganda acknowledges Mykhailo Drapaty’s experience
: “There will be more boldness, more adventurism, more improvisation… He began the war while still a battalion commander. He is a very experienced commander,” said propagandist Oleksandr Sladkov. pic.twitter.com/e61LSZT5qX— GLAVKOM (@GLAVCOM_UA) July 22, 2026
In 2014, Mykhailo Drapaty commanded the 2nd Mechanized Battalion of the 72nd Separate Mechanized Brigade. During the battles for Mariupol, he personally led a BMP-2 crew that broke through the barricades of pro-Russian militants and opened the way for Ukrainian troops into the city.
Acting Minister of Defense Yevhen Khmara reported on his first working meeting with Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Mykhailo Drapatiy, following which the parties identified key areas for joint work.
Acting Minister of Defense of Ukraine Yevhen Khmara will be responsible not only for issues related to strikes on Russian territory but will also carry out a broader range of security tasks.
