Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelenskyy sacks army chief after days of protests
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has dismissed army chief Oleksandr Syrsky following days of protests regarding the removal of the popular defence minister. Mykhailo Drapaty has been appointed as the new commander-in-chief.
Why it matters
The leadership shake-up reflects significant internal political instability in Ukraine during an ongoing war, which could impact military strategy.
UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT VOLODYMYR Zelenskyy has dismissed Oleksandr Syrsky, commander-in-chief of Ukraine’s army, amid an ongoing political crisis triggered by the removal of a popular defence minister.
The Ukrainian leader announced he was appointing joint forces commander Mykhailo Drapaty in his place.
Syrsky (60) had served in the role since 2024 and was among Kyiv’s most experienced commanders, having led the defence of Kyiv at the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.
His removal comes after days of protests in support of ousted defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov, who accused Syrsky of forcing him out and stalling his attempt to reform the military.
“I have decided that the new Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine will be Mykhailo Drapaty,” Zelenskyy said in a post on Telegram.
“I am grateful to Oleksandr Syrsky and to each of our warriors for Ukraine’s strong front-line positions.”
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