Drapatiy, an experienced battlefield general and previous commander of the ground forces, was appointed to lead the joint forces, a command structure focused on frontline operations. <\/p>\n
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has named a new commander of the ground forces, as Kyiv seeks to overhaul its top brass and improve mobilisation to counter Russia\u2019s summer offensive.<\/p>\n
Hennadii Shapovalov, who has experience in working with Ukraine\u2019s western allies, was appointed almost three weeks after his predecessor Mykhailo Drapatiy was transferred to another post and several other top officers were reassigned. Shapovalov will also be in charge of recruitment, which has been marred by issues despite persistent calls from Washington and other capitals to lower the age men are drafted into the army. <\/p>\n
\u201cChange is needed, it is clear,\u201d Zelenskyy said on Thursday night when announcing the appointment.<\/p>\n
Closing the manpower deficit has become more pressing in recent months as Russia has accelerated its attacks along the 1,000km frontline, and succeeded in capturing more territory in northern and eastern Ukraine. But attempts to reform the Ukrainian mobilisation and training process have been sluggish at best.<\/p>\n
Reforms introduced in the past year have made it easier for disgruntled soldiers to request transfers to a different brigade. Kyiv has also sought to address the issue of desertion by waiving criminal liability if the soldier agrees to return to the military.<\/p>\n
But compulsory mobilisation has remained unpopular while Zelenskyy has repeatedly refused to lower the minimum mobilisation age of 25, despite western pressure.<\/p>\n
Kyiv launched a new military contract designed to attract men aged 18 to 25 in February. The new contract offers financial incentives including a \u20ac4,000 sign-up bonus and the possibility of leaving the military after just one year.<\/p>\n
But the programme has struggled to take off. It had attracted only about 500 recruits in the weeks following its launch, presidential military adviser Pavlo Palisa admitted in April.<\/p>\n
Shapovalov\u2019s predecessor, Drapatiy, voiced rare criticism<\/a> of the ground forces on his departure, saying that when he took up his job at the headquarters in November, he encountered \u201can atmosphere of fear, lack of initiative, unwillingness to accept feedback, indifference to personnel issues, pretence of discipline and a profound gap between the headquarters and units\u201d.<\/p>\n Drapatiy, an experienced battlefield general and previous commander of the ground forces, was appointed to lead the joint forces, a command structure focused on frontline operations. <\/p>\n Recommended<\/p>\n
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