DRIVING FORCE Moment new Ukraine army chief ploughed armoured fighting vehicle through Russian barricade as he takes helm of military

THIS is the dramatic moment Ukraine’s new army chief smashed through a barricade erected by pro-Russian separatists in Mariupol while aboard an armoured vehicle.

Back in 2014, Mykhailo Drapatyi was a little-known officer – but the video, that lasts only a few seconds, made him one of Ukraine‘s military heroes.

Behind the controls of the BMP-1 fighting vehicle, the then-battalion leader of the 72nd Mechanised Brigade shouts “Go” as its wheels plough over the defences.

Footage of the daring raid has become one of the defining moments of Ukraine’s resistance against Russia‘s early attempts to seize the east.

Tyres and debris are seen flying in the air as the vehicle bursts through the blockade.

At the time, Drapatyi had been sent to free police officers surrounded by armed militants in the city.

In August that same year, he led 260 Ukrainian troops and 30 vehicles to break out of a Russian encirclement in Luhansk.

He only lost one soldier in that battle.

After Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, he became the go-to commander for areas of the front where the situation was most dire and in need of a swift turnaround.

In summer 2024, he stopped a Russian incursion near the city ⁠of Kharkiv, stabilised the frontline.

Soon after, he became the youngest-ever commander of the Ukrainian land forces, one of the most senior posts in the Ukrainian army.

Known as the “flying BMP” commander, Drapatyi, 43, has now been given the top job in the army after climbing the ranks for over a decade.

He was tapped by Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday to ⁠replace Oleksandr Syrsky, blamed by some troops for a rigid style they said led to high losses.

Appointed in 2024, Syrsky has been a target of rare protests following the government shake-up by the Ukrainian President that ousted the popular defence minister, Mykhailo Fedorov.

Angered by Syrsky’s brand of leadership, the protesters had demanded his dismissal and Fedorov’s return.

Drapatyi appears well-suited to his new role.

As a former field commander respected by troops for both his tactical leadership and moral integrity, he has held an ⁠array of high-level posts including head of Ukraine’s ground forces.

Mykola Bielieskov, of ⁠the National Institute for Strategic Studies in Kyiv, said Drapatyi must manage a sprawling front at a time when functions between the General Staff and defence ministry are not “fully delineated”.

But he added the appointment was “a good step to soothe protests” and a chance to pursue reforms.

“He is respected by the ranks and ready for dialogue with other major players inside Ukraine,” said Bielieskov.

In a statement on Wednesday, Drapatyi said Zelensky had tasked the army with stepping up offensive actions and developing their technological capabilities.