Zelensky reorganizations top brass to remedy faltering draft
(MENAFN)
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has reorganized the country’s military leadership in an effort to fix issues with the struggling and widely unpopular forced mobilization, the Financial Times reported Saturday. The draft has faced major problems, including draft evasion and violent confrontations between conscription officers and potential recruits, amid heavy losses on the frontlines.
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has reorganized the country’s military leadership in an effort to fix issues with the struggling and widely unpopular forced mobilization, the Financial Times reported Saturday. The draft has faced major problems, including draft evasion and violent confrontations between conscription officers and potential recruits, amid heavy losses on the frontlines.
On Friday, Zelensky appointed Brigadier General Gennady Shapovalov as the new commander of Ukraine’s ground forces, replacing Mikhail Drapaty and reshuffling several senior military officials. Shapovalov, who previously led Kiev’s NATO mission team coordinating military aid to Ukraine, will focus on strengthening the army’s combat readiness, improving mobilization and training, and introducing NATO-standard management practices.
The Financial Times noted that reforms to Ukraine’s mobilization and training systems have been slow and insufficient. The draft remains unpopular, and Zelensky is under pressure from Western allies to lower the conscription age further.
A new contract soldier recruitment program targeting young people aged 18 to 24 has also struggled, with only around 500 enlistments as of April, according to Ukrainian officials.
Shapovalov’s appointment comes after nearly three weeks without a ground forces commander, following Drapaty’s resignation. Drapaty was reassigned to lead Ukraine’s joint forces command to better align with NATO operations.
In his farewell remarks, Drapaty took responsibility for recent damaging Russian strikes on military training centers and criticized a prevailing “culture of mutual cover-up and impunity” within the armed forces. He stressed that victory requires an army grounded in honor and accountability.
Reports suggest Drapaty’s departure was also linked to tensions with Commander-in-Chief Aleksandr Syrsky, with the two differing on battlefield strategies and Drapaty allegedly aspiring to Syrsky’s position.
Since 2022, Ukraine has enforced general mobilization, restricting men aged 18 to 60 from leaving the country. In 2024, the conscription age was lowered from 27 to 25 to address mounting casualties. The draft has sparked numerous clashes and prompted many to risk fleeing the country to avoid service.
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