“The most valuable combat capability of the Armed Forces is our people” – Drapatyi.
The Commander-in-Chief has outlined the principles that will guide his command of the
Armed Forces. The priority is to protect people, cities and villages. Military service must
be predictable. Personnel decisions must be based on professionalism and
performance. Headquarters exist to support the troops, not the other way around.
Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Major General Mykhailo
Drapatyi has published the document “The Principles of Leadership of the
Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the Development of the
Armed Forces in Wartime.” The document sets out his intent, eight priorities,
fourteen requirements for commanders at all levels, and eight expectations for
headquarters.
The procedures for implementation, specific tasks and performance indicators will
be defined in separate documents.
People – the most valuable combat capability
The central thesis of the document concerns neither equipment nor structures, but
people.
“The most valuable combat capability of the Armed Forces is our people, and every
commander must protect them.”
This entails specific responsibilities for a commander: to properly prepare a service
member for combat, protect them from unjustified risk, care for the wounded, honour
the memory of the fallen with dignity, and support their families.
This is formulated
as a requirement, rather than a recommendation: “Care for our people is not separate
from combat effectiveness – it is its foundation.”
The document requires commanders to distinguish between determination and
recklessness: “War requires determination, but never recklessness.” “Every unjustified
loss weakens the Armed Forces.”
Support does not end with military service. Those who have defended Ukraine must
be provided with appropriate assistance, rehabilitation, recognition and opportunities. The Armed Forces will carry out this work together with the Ministry of
Defence, the Ministry for Veterans Affairs, government authorities, local
self-government bodies and volunteer organisations.
Priority – protecting people, cities and villages
At the top of the list of priorities is the protection of the country and those who live in
it. Stabilising the front, preserving and strengthening combat capabilities, seizing the
initiative where possible, and denying the enemy the ability to achieve its objectives
are actions aimed at strengthening the protection of the population of Ukraine, its
cities, villages and critical infrastructure from enemy strikes.
Military service must become predictable
For the first time, the Principles of Leadership of the Commander-in-Chief of the
Armed Forces of Ukraine explicitly address the issues that service members and
their families ask about most often: terms of service, rotation and the procedure for
discharge. The document sets out the intent to change the system of recruitment,
training, service, rotation, retention and discharge of service members so that it
ensures the combat readiness of the Armed Forces while at the same time taking
into account the needs of service members themselves and society.
“Ensure conditions under which military service is predictable, fair and professional,
and personnel decisions are based on the needs of the Armed Forces, professionalism
and performance.”
The policy governing recruitment, service and completion of service will be
developed taking into account lessons learned from the past.
Truth makes us stronger
The document requires commanders and headquarters to provide honest
assessments and not allow optimism, fear or personal ambitions to distort reality.
“Problems that are ignored only grow.” “Healthy professional debate strengthens
decisions; silence weakens them.”
The same standards of conduct apply to generals, officers, sergeants and civilian
leaders: there is no place in the Armed Forces for corruption, abuse of authority,
harassment, discrimination or injustice. A separate requirement for every
commander is the responsible use of state resources.
Headquarters exist to support the troops
For headquarters at all levels, the document establishes one key question: “Does this
enhance our ability to fight and succeed?” If the answer is no, it must be changed.
Every report, briefing, meeting and headquarters process must have a clear purpose;
duplication must be eliminated and excessive reporting reduced.
A headquarters must “be smaller where possible, faster where necessary, and more
useful every day.”
Learn faster than the enemy – for the sake of those on the front line
A separate priority is accelerating adaptation and the implementation of innovation.
The purpose of this work, as set out in the Principles, is linked to people:
technologies are needed where they enable tasks to be accomplished with fewer
casualties and less risk to those directly holding the front line. The source of change
is not limited to headquarters: commanders are required to create an environment in
which “good ideas can come from any service member, regardless of military rank or
position.”
The document also requires the Armed Forces to fight as one: “No individual service,
branch or brigade can win on its own.”
Direct quote
“The Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces — the President of Ukraine —
and the Minister of Defence have entrusted me with command of the Ukrainian military
— the Armed Forces. […] I have taken on this duty with the understanding that the next
stage of this war requires more from us: to command the Armed Forces in the war
today while at the same time ensuring that they emerge from it stronger.”
“In war, mistakes can cost lives. But a mistake that is acknowledged, analysed and
corrected becomes experience. Therefore, I expect every service member to
demonstrate honesty, the courage to speak about problems, and the willingness to
seek solutions together.”
“We must achieve a lasting and just peace and build such a military that, in the future,
no aggressor will have grounds to consider an attack on Ukraine an acceptable means
of achieving its objectives.”
Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Major General Mykhailo Drapatyi
For reference
Mykhailo Drapatyi assumed command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine by decision of
the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, the President of Ukraine. In his address, “The
Principles of Leadership of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
and the Development of the Armed Forces in Wartime,” he defined eight main priorities
for the development of the Ukrainian military, requirements for commanders at all
levels, and expectations for headquarters.
Download the full text of the Principles:
The Principles of Leadership of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the Development of the Armed Forces in Wartime