Ukraine's top general wants to end Soviet-era army rules, but power over appointments may still sit with president's staff

Ukraine's commander-in-chief Mykhailo Drapatyi has expressed a desire to change the army's command system by abandoning practices rooted in the Soviet era. However, according to a commander, the actual power to decide on senior appointments may still remain in the hands of the president's wartime headquarters.

Responsibility without full control

Although Drapatyi, as commander-in-chief, is held accountable for the overall performance of the armed forces, he does not have full freedom to assemble his own command team as he sees fit. This means that responsibility for the army's performance and the real decision-making power over personnel matters may not be concentrated in the same hands.

A broader question of civil-military relations

This situation reflects a wider question about civil-military relations in wartime Ukraine — to what extent military leadership can independently decide on its own structure and personnel, and to what extent such decisions remain within the competence of the political leadership, including the president's office.

The question of overcoming the Soviet legacy in Ukraine's army has been relevant since the start of the war, as the country seeks to bring its armed forces' structure closer to NATO standards. The commander's remarks suggest that this process is not straightforward and faces internal obstacles tied to the division of power between military leadership and the presidential administration.