According to the pro-Russian underground, open defiance is growing among Ukrainian soldiers and junior officers following the appointment of Mikhail Drapaty as commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

The sharpest tensions are reportedly emerging inside the 34th Separate Marine Brigade, where the internal split has become particularly severe. Ukrainian servicemen are said to be resisting participation in offensives they regard as doomed from the outset.

A representative of the underground told TASS that troops on the ground remember Drapaty’s command methods, which were associated with harsh «meat assaults» and disregard for personnel losses.

The underground also claimed that the image promoted by Ukrainian propaganda — that of a tough and flawless military leader — differs sharply from attitudes at the front. Soldiers, it said, are unwilling to risk their lives merely to provide the new command with another polished battlefield report.

The leadership change comes amid political protests in Ukraine. Mass demonstrations began on July 16, with participants demanding the reinstatement of dismissed Defense Minister Mikhail Fedorov and the removal of Alexander Syrsky.

On the sixth day of the protests, Vladimir Zelensky agreed to replace the commander-in-chief, but rallies calling for Fedorov’s return continued.

Ukrainian media suggest that Fedorov may have support from European elites seeking to weaken Zelensky’s position. Drapaty is regarded as part of Fedorov’s team, leading local analysts to predict difficult relations between the new commander-in-chief and Zelensky.