Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has dismissed Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Oleksandr Syrsky, following days of political unrest sparked by the removal of Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov.
Announcing the decision on Tuesday, Zelensky named Joint Forces Commander, Major General Mykhailo Drapaty, as Ukraine’s new military chief.
Syrsky, 60, had served as commander-in-chief since 2024 and was regarded as one of Ukraine’s most experienced military leaders, having played a key role in the successful defence of Kyiv during the early stages of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.
His dismissal comes after days of public protests following the removal of the widely popular and reform-minded Defence Minister, Mykhailo Fedorov, who accused Syrsky of blocking military reforms and orchestrating his removal from office.
Announcing the leadership change on Telegram, Zelensky said:
“I have decided that the new Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine will be Mykhailo Drapaty.”
He also paid tribute to the outgoing army chief, adding:
“I am grateful to Oleksandr Syrsky and to each of our warriors for Ukraine’s strong frontline positions.”
Questions over Syrsky’s future intensified last week after Zelensky dismissed Fedorov, just six months after appointing the 35-year-old minister.
Fedorov, who earned praise for his efforts to modernise Ukraine’s military, claimed Syrsky resisted his reform agenda and pressured the president to remove him—an allegation the former army chief denied.
The dispute exposed rare divisions within Ukraine’s political and military leadership at a time when Kyiv has recorded some of its strongest battlefield performances in recent months.
Ukrainian forces have significantly slowed Russian advances while intensifying long-range strikes on Russian oil refineries, which Kyiv says are critical to sustaining Moscow’s war effort.
Drapaty Promises to Serve With ‘Absolute Responsibility’
Drapaty, 43, previously commanded Ukraine’s Ground Forces and fought against Russian-backed separatists during the conflict in the Donbas region.
He is widely known in Ukraine for a widely circulated video purportedly showing him driving an armoured vehicle through a separatist checkpoint in Mariupol during clashes in 2014.
Reacting to his appointment in a Facebook post, Drapaty pledged to discharge his new responsibilities with dedication.
“Serving Ukraine has always been an honour for me, and during the war for independence it means absolute responsibility.”
He added:
“Glory to the nation. Death to the enemies.”
Fedorov welcomed Drapaty’s appointment, describing it as a positive step for Ukraine’s war effort.
“This is a breath of fresh air and a new hope in the struggle of free people for freedom and justice,” he wrote on social media.
Fedorov’s dismissal last Wednesday triggered demonstrations across Ukraine, with thousands calling for military reforms and demanding Syrsky’s removal.
Although Zelensky had previously resisted pressure to dismiss Syrsky, analysts noted that the former commander lacked the political influence of his predecessor, Valery Zaluzhny, whose popularity was widely seen as a challenge to the president before his own removal.
Critics had accused Syrsky of failing to prioritise troop welfare and delaying reforms in military procurement, equipment acquisition and mobilisation.
Drapaty becomes Ukraine’s third commander-in-chief since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022.
The leadership change comes as both Russia and Ukraine continue to intensify aerial attacks, with the United Nations recently reporting a sharp increase in civilian casualties in Ukraine.
AFP
