Zelenskyy replaces military leader and brings back defence minister he sacked
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has dismissed commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrskyi and appointed general Mykhailo Drapati to lead the armed forces. The move follows nationwide protests triggered by the earlier firing of defense minister Mykhailo Fedorov, who is now being brought back into the government.
Why it matters
This leadership reshuffle represents a significant political crisis for Ukraine during an ongoing war, highlighting internal tensions and the government's struggle to maintain public support.
Oleksandr Syrskyi was credited with leading the defence of Kyiv and launching a counter-invasion of Russia’s Kursk province in summer 2024. Oleksandr Syrskyi was credited with leading the defence of Kyiv and launching a counter-invasion of Russia’s Kursk province in summer 2024. Ukraine Zelenskyy fires Ukraine’s army chief and offers Fedorov ‘prominent position’ After nationwide protests Oleksandr Syrskyi is to be replaced in reshuffle and popular defence minister returns to government
Prefer the Guardian on Google Volodymyr Zelenskyy has fired Ukraine’s commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrskyi and offered a “prominent position” to the defence minister he sacked last week in a move that sparked nationwide protests .
In a late-night TV address, Zelenskyy said he was appointing Mykhailo Drapati, a popular and innovative general, as the new head of Ukraine’s armed forces. Drapati would oversee a reorganisation of the army’s command structure, Ukraine’s president said.
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