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In a surprising move, Mykhailo Drapaty, the commander of Ukraine's Ground Forces, announced his resignation on Sunday, June 1, following a deadly missile attack that resulted in the death of 12 soldiers and injured more than 60 others. Drapaty took full responsibility for the tragic incident, stating that his failure to enforce strict discipline and orders was a contributing factor.

Drapaty made his resignation public through a statement on Facebook, where he expressed his deep remorse over the loss of lives and extended his condolences to the families of the deceased and injured soldiers. "I have decided to step down as commander of the ground forces," Drapaty wrote, acknowledging that a lack of stringent enforcement of his directives led to the unfortunate outcome. He emphasized the importance of personal accountability in the armed forces, warning that without such responsibility, the military cannot evolve or achieve victory.

The missile strike took place on Sunday at the 239th training ground. Despite most of the soldiers being in shelters at the time, the attack still managed to cause severe casualties. In his statement, Drapaty mentioned that an investigation is currently underway to assess the conditions of the shelters and the effectiveness of the warning systems in place.

In his parting words, Drapaty stressed the necessity for an army where honor and responsibility translate into action rather than mere rhetoric. His resignation comes at a time when there is increasing pressure on Ukraine’s military to enhance safety and oversight at training facilities, especially after this and other similar incidents that have raised alarms about command and control.

This resignation underscores the urgent call for reform within the Ukrainian military, highlighting the critical role of leadership and accountability in ensuring the safety and effectiveness of its operations. Drapaty's actions set a powerful precedent, signaling that impunity will no longer be tolerated and that the welfare of the troops must always remain a paramount concern.