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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has dismissed Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi and appointed General Mykhailo Drapatyi as Ukraine’s new military chief. The decision came days after nationwide protests began over the removal of Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov.
Zelensky thanked Syrskyi for his service, including his role in defending Kyiv during Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. He also said he had offered Fedorov another senior government position but did not confirm whether the former defence minister had accepted it.
Details
- Leadership change: Drapatyi, the commander of Ukraine’s Joint Forces and a battle-hardened general, will replace Syrskyi as commander-in-chief. Zelensky said the personnel decisions would be formally approved.
- Public backlash: Demonstrations erupted across Ukraine after Fedorov’s dismissal, with protesters demanding his return and criticising the country’s military leadership.
- Reported tensions: The leadership reshuffle came after reported disagreements between Fedorov and Syrskyi over the pace and direction of military reforms. Both men later sought to ease the dispute publicly, with Syrskyi apologising if he had caused offence and describing their relationship as a working one.
- Criticism of Syrskyi: Protesters and some supporters of military reform accused Syrskyi of being too slow to embrace changes in procurement, mobilisation and drone-led warfare. Syrskyi rejected those claims and argued that decisions affecting soldiers’ lives could not be reduced to public slogans.
- Fedorov’s record: The 35-year-old former digital transformation minister was widely praised for expanding Ukraine’s use of drones, military technology and data-driven battlefield management. He also pushed anti-corruption reforms and introduced systems that rewarded military units for successful strikes on Russian assets.
- Drapatyi’s profile: Drapatyi is regarded as a popular and experienced battlefield commander. He previously gained recognition for his role in confronting pro-Russian forces near Mariupol in 2014 and later became head of Ukraine’s Joint Forces.
- Fedorov’s next role: Zelensky said he had offered Fedorov a senior government position focused on strengthening the state’s technical capabilities. It remains unclear whether he has accepted the offer.
What Else
It remains unclear whether the leadership changes will ease domestic tensions or satisfy protesters demanding Fedorov’s return. Protest organisers had warned that demonstrations could continue unless he was reinstated as defence minister.
Attention will also focus on how Drapatyi approaches military reforms and whether he accelerates changes involving drones, procurement and battlefield management. Any shift in command will be closely watched as Ukraine continues fighting Russia and faces sustained pressure on the front line.
Fedorov’s future could also shape the political fallout. A return to government in another senior role may allow Zelensky to retain his expertise while avoiding a reversal of the defence ministry decision.
