Major General Mykhailo Drapatyi resigns amid systemic issues in the army
Following the tragedy caused by a Russian strike on the 239th Unit Training Center, Major General Mykhailo Drapatyi has submitted his resignation as Commander of the Ukrainian Ground Forces. He stated that his decision was driven by the inability to eradicate irresponsibility among commanders, collusion, and impunity within the army.
In his official statement, Drapatyi expressed personal responsibility for the tragedy at the 239th training ground, which resulted in the deaths of Ukrainian soldiers. He acknowledged his failure to fully enforce his orders and to change attitudes toward personnel within the ranks.
“I have decided to submit my resignation as Commander of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. This is a conscious step, dictated by my personal sense of responsibility for the tragedy at the 239th training ground, which resulted in the deaths of our soldiers.
As a commander, I failed to fully ensure the execution of my orders. I did not press hard enough, did not convince, did not change the attitude toward the individual in the ranks. This is my responsibility.
The behavior of soldiers matters, but the primary responsibility always lies with the command. It is the commanders who set the rules, make decisions, and are accountable for the consequences.
Collusion and impunity are poisons for the army. I tried to eradicate them from the Ground Forces. But if tragedies continue to occur, it means my efforts were insufficient.
We have no right to live in a system that does not learn. If we do not draw conclusions, do not change our attitude toward service, do not acknowledge our mistakes — we are doomed. Without personal responsibility, there is no development. Without development, there is no victory.
An army in which commanders bear personal responsibility for the lives of people — lives. An army where no one is accountable for losses — dies from within.
Twelve dead. There are wounded. These are young men from the training battalion. Most of them were in shelters. They were supposed to learn, live, fight — not die. My deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and all those affected.
I have initiated an investigation into all the circumstances of the tragedy: the actions of commanders, the condition of shelters, the effectiveness of alert systems. All those affected are receiving assistance. But no investigation will bring back those we have lost.
We will not win this war if we do not build an army where honor is not just a word, but an action. Where responsibility is not punishment, but the foundation of trust. Where every commander is accountable daily — for orders, decisions, and people.”
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