Kyiv’s Military Shakeup. Who has joined the revamped leadership of the Ukrainian Armed Forces

Oleksandr Syrskyi

Position: Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces

Previous Position: Commander of the Ground Forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces

Age: 58

Rank: Lieutenant General

In an interview with the German television channel ZDF given shortly before his appointment as commander-in-chief, Syrskyi emphasized that “the primary value for Ukraine is the lives of its soldiers and officers.” The general outlined the task of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the immediate future: to attrit Russian attackers through a range of means that includes the utilization of drones and electronic warfare systems — an indication that Kyiv’s new top general will likely prioritize the further development of several of the same technological innovations his predecessor was calling for.

Syrskyi’s statements are especially significant given the mixed reaction to his appointment, which has attracted criticism both from Ukrainian military servicemen posting on social media (1, 2) and from journalists who cover military affairs for a range of major publications in Ukraine and beyond (1, 2).

The new commander-in-chief is said to prefer a more rigid, “Soviet-style” command approach, doling out punishment for bad news, and, most notably, demonstrating a willingness to accept significant battlefield casualties in the pursuit of tactically questionable objectives, most notably in the Battle of Bakhmut from 2022-2023. However, Syrskyi has also garnered praise for his successful leadership in the operation to liberate the towns of Izium and Kupyansk in the Kharkiv region in September 2022.

The Insider previously compiled a comprehensive dossier on the new commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, detailing his journey from a Moscow military academy to the Ukrainian commander of operations near Debaltseve, Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Bakhmut.

Anatoliy Barhylevych

Position: Chief of the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces

Previous Position: Commander of the Forces of Territorial Defense

Age: 54

Rank: Major General

Like many of his contemporaries in the Ukrainian military (Syrskyi among them), Barhylevych obtained much of his military education outside of Ukraine's borders, attending the Tashkent Higher Tank Command School. With a wealth of experience in staff roles, Barhylevych gained significant leadership experience during the pre-2022 “hybrid” phase of the Russo-Ukrainian conflict, serving as the head of the operational training department of the General Staff and contributing to the management of the ATO. From 2016, Barhylevych served as the deputy chief of staff of the Ground Forces Command, and by 2020, he had risen to lead the Forces of Territorial Defense Command.

In a 2021 interview, Barhylevych stressed the pivotal role of staff work:

“The success of any combat commander is reliant on effective staff operations. Operational-level officers, or the 'operators,' account for 80% of a commander's success. Without the support of the chief of staff, a commander's effectiveness is greatly diminished.”

From the start of the full-scale conflict, Barhylevych has been part of the operational-strategic group “Khortytsia,” led by Oleksandr Syrskyi. Khortytsia’s operations included the successful Kharkiv counteroffensive of 2022, and Barhylevych was honored with the Order of Bohdan Khmelnytsky, 2nd class, for his contributions to the effort. After being appointed to lead the Forces of Territorial Defense in October 2023, Barhylevych was transferred to his current role in February of this year.

Vadym Sukharevskyi

Position: Deputy Commander of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Commander of the Unmanned Systems Forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces

Previous Position: Commander of the 59th Separate Motorized Infantry Brigade

Age: 39

Rank: Colonel

Vadym Sukharevskyi's military journey began before the Russo-Ukrainian War. In 2004, he participated in the Battle of Al Kut as part of the Ukrainian peacekeeping contingent in Iraq, defending positions against militants of the Mahdi Army. After graduating from the Lviv Institute of Ground Forces in 2009, Sukharevskyi joined Ukraine’s 80th Airborne Brigade and met the 2014 outbreak of the Russo-Ukrainian War in 2014 as a company commander.

Sukharevskyi gained recognition as the first officer of the Ukrainian Armed Forces to engage pro-Russian formations in Donbas. During a Russian-backed attack against an SBU Alpha special forces group near Slovyansk on April 13, 2014, he was credited with saving the unit from destruction. He later fought against regular Russian troops in the battles for the Luhansk Airport, where he was wounded.

Prior to the full-scale Russian invasion, Sukharevskyi served in the Marine Corps. In February 2022, he assumed command of the 59th Separate Motorized Infantry Brigade. For his combat actions in the Mykolaiv and Kherson regions in June of that year, he was awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine. According to Ukrainska Pravda, on November 14, 2022, Sukharevskyi participated in the ceremony that raised the Ukrainian flag over liberated Kherson.

Sukharevskyi's assignment to the newly formed Unmanned Systems Forces was deliberate. In a February 10 interview with Ukrainian Forbes, the colonel noted that, under his command, the 59th had organized the production and repair of FPV drones and developed ammunition for various types of unpiloted aircraft. Additionally, the unit managed ground-based drones responsible for landmine placement at distances of 4-8 km from the operator.

Besides his military duties, Sukharevskyi is an enthusiast of the Warhammer 40k tabletop game universe. He claims to have read over 300 books about this fictional world and spends his evenings coloring miniatures for the game. He regards the space marines as the epitome of soldiers, ready to bravely combat the forces of evil.

Andriy Lebedenko

Position: Deputy Commander of the Ukrainian Armed Forces

Rank: Colonel

Andriy Lebedenko is one of the appointees whom Ukrainska Pravda refers to as “dark horses” in its overview of new faces in the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The only public mention of Lebedenko dates back to September 2022, when the serviceman was awarded the Order of Danylo Halytsky.

In his address dedicated to significant appointments, Zelensky highlighted Lebedenko's responsibility for “innovations, particularly the technological component of the army and combat systems.” In addition to unmanned systems, which will be overseen by Vadym Sukharevskyi, Lebedenko may be involved in communication and battlefield automation systems, as well as EW and RER, the importance of which was emphasized by Valerii Zaluzhny during his tenure as commander-in-chief.

Oleksiy Shevchenko

Position: Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces

Previous Position: Chief of the Military Academy (Odesa)

Rank: Brigadier General

Public information about Shevchenko is also rather limited in detail. It is known that prior to the full-scale war, Shevchenko served in artillery units and held leadership positions in Ukrainian military academies. In April 2022, he assumed leadership of the Military Academy in Odesa, a position introduced by Syrskyi when Shevchenko was still a colonel. Shevchenko was subsequently awarded the Order of Bohdan Khmelnytsky, 2nd class, and on August 24 of the same year, he was promoted to the rank of brigadier general. According to Zelensky's address mentioned above, Shevchenko is now responsible for logistics at the General Staff.

Volodymyr Horbatiuk

Position: Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces

Rank: Brigadier General

Age: 42

Volodymyr Horbatiuk represents yet another relatively unknown figure ascending to a pivotal role within the Ukrainian Armed Forces. His background reveals a distinguished military career, notably commanding the Ukrainian peacekeeping contingent in Kosovo in 2014 before assuming leadership of the newly formed 54th Separate Mechanized Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in 2015. Recognized for his valor and dedication, Horbatiuk was honored with the Order of Bohdan Khmelnytsky, 3rd class, for his courageous defense of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity during the Russo-Ukrainian war that preceded the full-scale invasion of February 2022. Horbatiuk later took charge of the operational command “West.”

Within the General Staff, Horbatiuk will oversee operational matters, including staff coordination, planning, and management. President Zelensky emphasized the critical importance of ensuring that “every staff member comprehensively understands the frontline situation.”

Mykhailo Drapaty

Position: Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces

Previous Position: Commander of the operational task force “Kherson”

Rank: Brigadier General

Mykhailo Drapaty's name is tied to one of the most significant events from the early days of the conflict in Donbas. On May 9, 2014, when armed pro-Russian militants attempted to seize control of the Mariupol police headquarters, motorized infantry from the 72nd Brigade were deployed into the city. Drapaty, then commander of the 2nd battalion of this brigade, was in an APC that broke through the pro-Russian barricade at full speed.

The next month, in June 2014, Drapaty led the breakthrough of Ukrainian forces from encirclement near Izvaryne, where they got trapped while attempting to cut off Donetsk and Luhansk from the Russian border. In 2016, he led the 58th Separate Motorized Infantry Brigade. During this time, Drapaty became the subject of a criminal case opened against him in Russia, allegedly for the deliberate shelling of civilian infrastructure in Donbas.

As of 2021, Drapaty was serving as the deputy commander of the Joint Forces Operation. When the full-scale Russian invasion happened the next year, Drapaty held the position of deputy commander of the operational command “South” and led the operational task force “Kherson.” In 2022, he was promoted to the rank of brigadier general and was awarded the Cross of Military Merit. He has since become a full cavalier of the Order of Bohdan Khmelnytsky.

Within the General Staff, Drapaty is tasked with ensuring combat readiness. Ukrainska Pravda sources describe the general as an experienced officer who prioritizes the preservation of personnel and gets involved in details — right down to the weapons individual soldiers are to use.

Oleksandr Pavliuk

Position: Commander of the Ground Forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces

Previous Position: First Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine

Rank: Lieutenant General

Age: 53

Oleksandr Pavliuk's military career traces back to 1991 when he served in a Soviet forces unit stationed in Germany. In 2006-2007, Pavliuk led the Ukrainian peacekeeping contingent in Kosovo. He entered the conflict in Donbas in 2014 as the commander of the 24th Separate Mechanized Brigade, playing a pivotal role in liberating several cities in the region, including Sloviansk. He was also involved in the breakthrough from the infamous “Izvaryne cauldron” and engaged in fierce battles with Russian paratroopers for control of Luhansk Airport. After graduating from the National Defense University of Ukraine in 2017, Pavliuk headed the Operational Command “West.” He later served as the Chief of Staff Training of the Ground Forces Command before being appointed to head the Joint Forces Operation in Donbas in 2021.

In January 2022, Pavliuk speculated that February 20 could mark the start of a potential Russian invasion — a statement that sparked controversy given the uncertainty surrounding the Kremlin’s plans both in Ukraine and globally. Despite the initial skepticism, Pavliuk was tasked with leading the defensive efforts in Donbas during the early stages of the full-scale conflict. His leadership and bravery earned him the title of Hero of Ukraine on March 4. From March to April, Pavliuk played a critical role in organizing the defense of Kyiv as the Chief of the RMA of the Kyiv region. Notably, this operation was overseen by Oleksandr Syrskyi, whom Pavliuk succeeded as the Commander of the Ground Forces.

In February 2023, Pavliuk assumed the position of First Deputy Minister of Defense under Oleksiy Reznikov. Despite subsequent changes in the ministry's leadership, Pavliuk retained his position. During this time, he presented Ukraine’s Western partners with the idea to integrate F-16 fighters into the Ukrainian Armed Forces and pledged to hold Ukrainian military officials accountable for misconduct, particularly in cases of mistreatment of conscripts, which had gained widespread attention on Ukrainian social media platforms.

Ihor Skibiuk

Position: Commander of the Airborne Assault Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

Previous Position: Chief of Staff - Deputy Commander of the Airborne Assault Forces

Rank: Brigadier General

Age: 47

Ihor Skibiuk began his military career as a platoon commander in the 80th Airborne Assault Brigade. During the conflict in Donbas, his unit displayed valor in engagements around Sloviansk and Luhansk. By 2022, Skibiuk had risen to command the brigade, which played a pivotal role in the Kharkiv counteroffensive of September 2022. Reports credit Skibiuk's resolve and his clear, timely combat orders for the successful liberation of key strategic areas, including Izium. Skibiuk himself referred to the actions of his unit during the operation as a “classic airborne raid behind enemy lines.”

Recognized for his leadership, Skibiuk was honored with the title of Hero of Ukraine in October of that year. In 2023, he was promoted to Deputy Commander of the Airborne Assault Forces. Described by Ukrainska Pravda sources as composed and empathetic, Skibiuk contrasts with his predecessor Maksym Myrhorodskyi, whose leadership was less uniformly praised.

Ihor Plakhuta

Position: Commander of the Territorial Defense Forces of Ukraine

Previous Position: Deputy Commander of the Operational-Strategic Group of Troops “Khortytsia”

Rank: Major General

Age: 56

Plakhuta's appointment as the commander of the Territorial Defense Forces (TDF) proved to be the most controversial among recent personnel changes. During the 2013–2014 revolution, Plakhuta headed the Southern Command of the Internal Troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA), meaning that his participation in the events on Kyiv's Independence Square came in opposition to the protesters. The publication Hromadske, which covered the protests extensively at the time, recalls that on December 10, 2013, Plakhuta reported that the streets adjacent to the Presidential Administration were cleared of protesters, and that on February 18, 2014, he assured his superiors that Ukrainian law enforcement officers would not storm the protesters' barricades. However, on that very day, more than 20 people died in clashes between protesters and police officers.

Nevertheless, journalists remember Plakhuta as one of the few MIA officials who communicated with the press. His former professor at the University of Defense, who found himself on the opposite side of the barricades, recalls that Plakhuta promised him not to go “against his own people.” On February 21, after the mass shooting of protesters that occurred on February 20, Plakhuta ordered the withdrawal of security forces from the Presidential Administration and the evacuation of Internal Troops from the capital. Plakhuta avoided the 2014 lustration because the units of the Internal Troops under his command were not directly involved in dispersing the protesters, as this task was assigned to the Berkut special unit.

After the Maidan events, Plakhuta moved to work in the State Guard Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine. With the onset of the full-scale invasion in 2022, he began forming Special Operations Forces units and participated in the creation of volunteer battalions, including those composed of ATO veterans and participants of the “Revolution of Dignity” in 2013–2014. He soon became the deputy commander of the “Khortytsia” group, under the leadership of Syrskyi.

Ukrainian serviceman and participant of the Maidan events, Maksym Gromov, speaks of having “only positive experience” working with Plakhuta on the frontline, referring to the general as a “man of action.” In response to the “heap of hate” on social media, Gromov urges: “Back off, let the man work!”

However, the reviews have not all been positive. In a conversation with Ukrainska Pravda, one of Plakhuta's former subordinates refers to his former boss’s new appointment as a “return to the Soviet era,” while others have expressed concerns that the new commander will continue the “cleansing” of the TDF (i.e., transferring territorial defense units to other commands of the Ukrainian Armed Forces).

Yuriy Sodol

Position: Commander of the Joint Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

Previous Position: Commander of the Marine Corps of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Commander of the Operational-Tactical Group “Donetsk”

Rank: Lieutenant General

Age: 53

Sodol embarked on his military career in command roles with airborne troops in 2003 after completing his studies at the National Defense Academy. By 2007, he had risen to command the 25th Airborne Brigade, a unit that played a pivotal role in the 2014 ATO, including key engagements such as the liberation of Sloviansk, relief efforts for besieged Ukrainian units near Saur-Mohyla, and the defense of Donetsk Airport. His leadership skills led to his appointment as deputy commander of the Marine Corps in 2015, and later, in 2018, he assumed command of the newly established Marine Corps Command. Tasked with building this military branch practically from the ground up, Sodol endeavored to modernize the Marines, ridding them of “Soviet-style” practices and bringing them up to NATO standards, as has been reported by Forbes.

Throughout the full-scale conflict, the Marine Corps under Sodol's command has been actively involved in critical operations, including the defense of Mariupol, the liberation of Kherson's right-bank territories, the Ukrainian counteroffensive efforts during the summer of 2023, and ongoing engagements on the Krynky bridgehead situated on the left bank of the Dnipro River. Sodol's personal bravery and decisive leadership were recognized on February 28 of last year, when he was awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine. The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine cited his actions during the Battle of Volnovakha, where he led troops out of enemy fire and orchestrated a successful counteroffensive. Forbes's report credited Sodol with preventing the 53rd Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine from being encircled.

Sodol's new position is described somewhat vaguely. Unlike the similarly named group that operated in eastern Ukraine from 2016 to 2022, the current Joint Forces Command encompasses “all inter-service and inter-departmental troop formations, tasked with operations directed by the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.” Recent reports on the command's activities indicate its involvement in coordinating the defense of the state border and air defense operations in northern regions of Ukraine. Precise details regarding Sodol's successor as the commander of the Marine Corps of the Armed Forces of Ukraine remain undisclosed in public sources.