Zelenskyy appoints Hennadii Shapovalov as Commander of the Ground Forces
Photo: Hennadii Shapovalov (facebook.com/OperationalCommandSouth)
Hennadii Shapovalov will become the new Commander of the Ukrainian Ground Forces. The appointment was approved by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, according to the Presidential Decree No. 412/2025.
"Appoint Hennadii Mykolaiovych Shapovalov as Commander of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine," the decree signed by Zelenskyy states.
What is known about Shapovalov
Hennadii Shapovalov is a Ukrainian military officer, born in 1978 in the Kirovohrad region. He graduated from the Tank Troops Institute in Kharkiv and later studied at the National Defense University of Ukraine. He also completed training at the US Army War College.
Over the years of his service, he rose through the ranks from a tank platoon commander to the commander of the separate motorized infantry brigade named after Yakiv Handziuk.
In March 2022, he was awarded the rank of brigadier general.
In the spring of 2024, Shapovalov was appointed head of the Southern Operational Command. In February 2025, he became Ukraine’s representative to NATO’s military assistance and training mission (NSATU) in Germany.
Drapatyi’s resignation
The Ground Forces were previously commanded by Major General Mykhailo Drapatyi. He resigned following a series of strikes by Russian forces on Ukrainian military training grounds.
The general announced his decision after Russian troops targeted the 239th Ground Forces training range, resulting in casualties and many wounded defenders.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy later appointed Drapatyi to a new position. He now heads the Joint Forces Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
