Russia urgently puts new Ukraine's commander-in-chief Drapatyi on wanted list
Photo: Ukraine's Commander-in-Chief Mykhailo Drapatyi (Getty Images)
Russia's Interior Ministry has put newly appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Mykhailo Drapatyi, on its wanted list. It is not the first time Russian authorities have targeted the Ukrainian general, according to Russian state news agency TASS.
Drapatyi's profile appeared in the Russian Interior Ministry's wanted database shortly after his appointment. The listing states that he is "wanted under a Criminal Code article."
However, Russian authorities did not specify which article of the Criminal Code the case is based on, nor did they provide any further details.
This is not the first time Russian investigators have pursued charges against Drapatyi. Earlier, Russia's Investigative Committee filed criminal charges against him in absentia.
According to the committee, Drapatyi and Viktor Nikoliuk jointly commanded Ukraine's Joint Forces Operation in 2017 and 2019.
Russian investigators claim that, under their command, Ukrainian forces carried out more than 70 attacks on settlements in the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DNR) and Luhansk People's Republic (LNR). They allege that 154 people were killed or injured as a result.
Russia's wanted notice for Mykhailo Drapatyi (Screenshot)
Background
On July 21, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appointed Mykhailo Drapatyi as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, replacing Oleksandr Syrskyi.
According to Bloomberg sources, 11 candidates were considered to replace Syrskyi. Drapatyi, who previously commanded Ukraine's Joint Forces, was viewed as the leading contender.
RBC-Ukraine has also reported on Drapatyi's military career. His service record includes breaking out of the Izvaryne pocket, helping halt Russia's advance toward Kryvyi Rih, and taking part in the liberation of the western bank of the Kherson region.
