diff --git a/VERSION b/VERSION
index ee1a4c3e8..e0b480b51 100644
--- a/VERSION
+++ b/VERSION
@@ -1 +1 @@
-v0.22.6-dev
\ No newline at end of file
+v0.22.6
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/config/default/manager_image_patch.yaml b/config/default/manager_image_patch.yaml
index 05fa6e6c8..5375a275e 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:v0.22.5-dev
+        - image: europe-docker.pkg.dev/gardener-project/public/gardener/etcd-druid:v0.22.6-dev
           name: druid