Zelenskiy Fires Ukraine’s Top Army Commander Amid Protests



Oleksandr Syrskyi
Oleksandr Syrskyi was praised by President Zelenskiy for successfully defending Ukraine's capital Kyiv in 2022.


President Volodymyr Zelenskiy dismissed Ukraine’s army commander‑in‑chief, Oleksandr Syrskyi, after a week of nationwide protests that erupted over the removal of Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. The unrest intensified the pressure on the president to act.


initial rumours that the end of Fedorov’s tenure was related to a conflict between him and Syrskyi were soon confirmed. Fedorov, 35, had been widely praised for energising the ministry, transforming the armed forces and launching a drive against corruption. Syrskyi, 60, is seen by many in Ukraine as a Soviet‑school commander reluctant to implement radical changes.


Syrskyi defended his record in a farewell address on Telegram, noting: “An army that was fighting a difficult defensive campaign two years ago is now on the offensive. I am handing over to my successor an army that is not only holding the line but is advancing… I sincerely hope this offensive will continue.”


He was replaced by Mykhailo Drapatyi, 43, a popular, battle‑hardened general who is viewed as a younger, more innovative commander and a close ally of Fedorov. Drapatyi planned to focus on strengthening the army while advancing Ukraine’s strategic objectives.


In a video post, Zelenskiy thanked Syrskyi for his military campaigns and for defending Kyiv during the first days of Russia’s invasion in 2022, and revealed that he had met Fedorov earlier in the day to offer him a “worthy position in power.” The offer’s acceptance remains unclear.


Fedorov, last week replaced by Yevhenii Khmara, a former top official at Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU), expressed support for Drapatyi’s appointment, describing it as “a voice of change that could not be ignored” and urging that the country’s defense strategy, including weapons supply and drones, be re‑evaluated.


Meanwhile, Syrskyi’s op‑ed for the Militarny website clarified his relationship with Fedorov: “I perceived our relationship as a working one. If I offended anyone, Mykhailo Albertovych, I’m sorry.” He emphasized that military decisions involve complex considerations beyond public slogans.


The recent shake‑ups in Ukraine’s defense leadership underscore the country’s struggle to maintain momentum against Russian forces while navigating internal political pressures and demands for innovation in military strategy.