Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has dismissed Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi and appointed Mykhailo Drapatyi as the country’s new military chief.
According to a news agency, the leadership change comes days after the dismissal of Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, a move that reportedly triggered public protests across parts of the country.
Initial reports suggested that disagreements between Fedorov and Syrskyi had contributed to the reshuffle, with subsequent media reports claiming those differences were later confirmed.
Media reports describe the 60-year-old Syrskyi as a commander associated with a Soviet-style military approach who was viewed as resistant to major reforms within the armed forces.
His successor, General Mykhailo Drapatyi, is regarded as an experienced battlefield commander and a popular figure within Ukraine’s military.
In a video address on Tuesday night, President Zelensky praised Syrskyi’s military service, saying he played a key role in the successful defense of Kyiv during the early stages of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.
Zelensky also said he met with former Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov and offered him what he described as a “senior government position,” but did not confirm whether the offer had been accepted.
The Ukrainian president added that all decisions would be formally finalized the following day.
