President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the dismissal of General Oleksandr Syrskyi as commander-in-chief of Ukraine's armed forces on Tuesday. The decision followed several days of mass protests in Kyiv and other cities across the nation, where demonstrators demanded the general's removal.
In a statement posted to social media, Zelenskyy confirmed the appointment of Mykhailo Drapatyi as the new army chief. Addressing the leadership change, the president stated, "Our shared wish is one — victory over the enemy and conditions at the front and in pressure on Russia that would force Russia toward peace."
The move came after a series of meetings between the Ukrainian leader and military commanders. These discussions were prompted by public outcry calling for the reinstatement of former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, who was dismissed after six months in the position. Protesters viewed the former defense minister as a key figure in military modernization, while concurrently labeling Syrskyi as a representative of the army's outdated, Soviet-style command culture.
Despite the decision to relieve him of his command, Zelenskyy publicly acknowledged Syrskyi's contributions to the ongoing conflict. The president thanked him for his achievements in the fight against Russia, specifically highlighting his role in the defense of Kyiv and military operations in Kharkiv and Kursk. "I am grateful to Oleksandr Syrskyi and to every one of our warriors for Ukraine's strong front-line positions," Zelenskyy said, adding that he is grateful to his successor, Mykhailo Drapatyi, for sharing that same perspective on the war effort.
Activists hold a portrait of Ukraine's Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi demanding his resignation during a rally against President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's decision to dismiss Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov after six months in the post, in Kyiv, Ukraine, Saturday, July 18. Efrem Lukatsky/AP hide captio
