Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has dismissed the country`s army commander-in-chief, Oleksandr Syrskyi, following days of widespread street protests and a mounting political crisis, according to BBC News and Reuters.
The high-level military shake-up comes on the heels of the removal of popular Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, a move that triggered intense public demonstrations across the country. Protesters and critics had accused Syrskyi of embodying a top-down, Soviet-style command culture that allegedly sidelined modern reforms and placed heavy pressure on frontline troops.
Zelenskyy announced on social media that he was replacing Syrskyi with Mykhailo Drapatyi, a battle-hardened and widely respected general. The Ukrainian leader acknowledged Syrskyi`s past contributions, including his role in successfully defending the capital Kyiv during the initial stages of the full-scale Russian invasion in 2022, but emphasized that a fresh approach was necessary to address current challenges.
In his farewell remarks, Syrskyi defended his operational record, noting that he was handing over an army capable of holding the line and maintaining strategic pressure. Meanwhile, Drapatyi stated that he would assume the new command with full focus and absolute responsibility toward the soldiers defending the nation.
The dismissal marks a pivotal moment in Ukraine`s wartime leadership structure as authorities face intense public scrutiny over military strategy, recruitment bottlenecks, and procurement efficiency. Observers note that while the appointment of a younger, more innovative commander may help defuse immediate political tensions, the broader test will lie in executing rapid reforms on the battlefield.
