diff --git a/VERSION b/VERSION
index 9b413b666..7a5ca36dc 100644
--- a/VERSION
+++ b/VERSION
@@ -1 +1 @@
-v0.21.1-dev
+v0.21.1
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/config/default/manager_image_patch.yaml b/config/default/manager_image_patch.yaml
index b647dcd7e..d150001d7 100644
--- a/config/default/manager_image_patch.yaml
+++ b/config/default/manager_image_patch.yaml
@@ -8,5 +8,5 @@ spec:
     spec:
       containers:
         # Change the value of image field below to your controller image URL
-        - image: europe-docker.pkg.dev/gardener-project/public/gardener/etcd-druid:v0.21.0
+        - image: europe-docker.pkg.dev/gardener-project/public/gardener/etcd-druid:v0.21.1
           name: druid