‘I didn’t know we had a conflict. Sorry if I caused offense,’ Ukraine’s military chief Syrsky says
Ukrainian military chief Oleksandr Syrsky has publicly addressed rumors of internal conflict following the dismissal of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. Syrsky denied personal animosity and emphasized the need for unity to achieve victory in the ongoing war.
Why it matters
Internal military and political stability in Ukraine is critical to the country's defense efforts and international support during the ongoing conflict.
stories ‘I didn’t know we had a conflict. Sorry if I caused offense,’ Ukraine’s military chief Syrsky says July 20, 2026, 7:58 pm Source: Meduza Valentyn Ogirenko / Reuters / Scanpix / LETA This is a retelling of a column by Oleksandr Syrsky, published on July 20, 2026, in the Ukrainian military outlet Militarnyi. The original Ukrainian text is available here .
Syrsky wrote the column a few days after the ouster of Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. His departure triggered protests across Ukraine. Fedorov himself said his dismissal stemmed from his conflict with Syrsky. Ukrainians then turned their criticism on Syrsky, and rumors began circulating that he might resign.
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