Lieutenant General Mykhailo Drapatiy, head of the Ukrainian Ground Forces, has announced his resignation following a tragic shelling incident at a training ground that resulted in the deaths of servicemen. He described his decision as an act of personal responsibility.

In a social media post, the commander stated that this decision was made in light of the tragic events at the 239th training ground, where soldiers lost their lives.

"I have decided to submit my resignation. This is a conscious step dictated by my personal sense of responsibility for the tragedy that claimed our warriors," Drapatiy wrote.

He acknowledged that, as a commander, he failed to fully ensure the execution of his orders and did not change the situation in the army where it was needed. "This is my responsibility," he emphasized.

Drapatiy noted that the ultimate responsibility for the lives of soldiers always lies with the command. He condemned the culture of impunity and mutual protection within the military, calling them "poison for the army."

"We cannot live in a system that does not learn. Without personal accountability, there is no progress. Without progress, there is no victory," the general stated.

As a result of the shelling, 12 servicemen were killed, and there were also injuries. Most of the deceased were in shelters. "They were supposed to learn, live, and fight — not die," he said, expressing condolences to the families of the fallen.

The general also initiated a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances of the tragedy, including the actions of commanders, the state of shelters, and the alert systems.

It is worth noting that Mykhailo Drapatiy took command of the Ukrainian Ground Forces in 2024, previously holding several command positions, including Deputy Commander of the Operational Command "South" and leading troops in combat zones.