New Ukrainian army chief opts for greater initiative
After a hundred days under Mykhailo Drapatyj, Ukraine reports local gains, but the front remains uncertain.
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The Ukrainian armed forces have been under the leadership of army chief Mykhailo Drapatyj for a hundred days. According to an analysis by German broadcaster Tagesschau, the style of leadership has noticeably changed and Ukraine has retaken ground locally in northern Donetsk.
Drapatyj has been at the head of Ukraine’s armed forces for around a hundred days. German broadcaster Tagesschau describes an army leadership placing greater emphasis on initiative at the front and on the use of new operational methods. The broadcaster bases this on conversations and public developments; a fully independent assessment of the change in command is difficult because of the conditions created by the war.
The main development mentioned by Tagesschau is a Ukrainian advance in the north of the Donetsk region. Ukrainian units refer to it as Operation Vivaldi. According to Ukrainian military statements, the operation has resulted in gains in some places and slowed a Russian advance in this part of the front. Those claims cannot be independently verified everywhere and say nothing about the course of the war as a whole.
The broadcaster writes that, since Drapatyj took office, Russia has on balance not captured more territory than Ukraine has retaken during the same period. According to Tagesschau, different calculations exist. Such a comparison is therefore primarily an indication of front-line dynamics, not a definitive determination of military superiority.
The Ukrainian Ground Forces call Drapatyj the commander of Ukraine’s armed forces. His profile underlines that he comes from the operational army leadership. A change at the top may give Kyiv opportunities to better coordinate the command structure, the use of technology and cooperation between combat units.
A changed style at the top does not resolve Ukraine’s structural problems. The country is facing a personnel shortage, heavy reliance on foreign military support and continuing Russian attacks. Local gains can also be costly and need not mean that a breakthrough is near.
For European countries, the development is relevant because the situation on the Ukrainian front affects the need for military support, the security situation on the European Union’s eastern border and possible negotiations. At present, the main certainty is that Ukraine under Drapatyj is showing a more active profile; how durable the gains are and whether they lead to a broader shift remain uncertain.
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One story, several perspectives
What is established
- Mykhailo Drapatyj is the current commander of Ukraine’s armed forces.
- After a hundred days, Tagesschau describes a different style of leadership.
- Ukraine reports local gains in northern Donetsk, but their extent and durability have not been fully established independently.
- The war against Russia continues and the front remains active in several places.
Left
Arguments Generally stresses that Ukraine needs sustained military and financial support to protect its population and sovereignty. A more active army leadership and local gains are seen as reasons not to reduce support.
Values International solidarity, protection of civilians and Ukraine’s right to defend itself.
Consequences Less support could weaken Kyiv’s negotiating position; more support requires long-term public funding and entails risks of escalation.
Centre
Arguments Usually stresses a combination of support, verifiable objectives and diplomacy. Local gains are relevant, but do not in themselves prove that the war can be decided militarily.
Values Institutional prudence, European security and risk reduction.
Consequences Support can continue with periodic evaluations of effectiveness, costs and the risk of escalation.
Right
Arguments Generally places greater emphasis on national security, deterrence and preventing Russia from gaining an advantage. A more decisive Ukrainian command may therefore be seen as necessary, but European countries must strengthen their own defence capabilities.
Values Security, military credibility and national responsibility.
Consequences Higher defence spending and support for Ukraine may be necessary, while prolonged involvement and possible escalation weigh heavily.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The article’s core is based on a current Tagesschau analysis and Drapatyj’s official profile. Claims about territorial gains and the course of the front are attributed to Ukrainian sources or qualified as uncertain.
- confirmed Tagesschau published an analysis on 2 November 2026 about Drapatyj after a hundred days as army chief. — The publication date and content appear on the Tagesschau page. source
- uncertain Ukraine made local gains in northern Donetsk. — Tagesschau describes the gains and refers to Ukrainian reports; independent verification is limited. source
- confirmed Mykhailo Drapatyj is listed as commander of Ukraine’s armed forces. — This is stated on the official website of the Ukrainian Ground Forces. source
Editor's note
It is certain that Tagesschau reported on 2 November about Drapatyj’s hundred days and local Ukrainian gains in northern Donetsk. The extent and military significance of the gains are partly based on Ukrainian reports and cannot be fully independently verified.Sources
- 100 Tage im Amt: Spürbar anders – Ukraines Armee unter Chef Drapatyj — Tagesschau
- Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine — Land Forces of Ukraine
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