Zelenskyy Fires Army Chief Syrskyi After Mass Protests, Names Drapatyi Successor

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy fired Gen Oleksandr Syrskyi as commander in chief of Ukraine's armed forces, following days of mass protests in Kyiv and other cities across the country demanding his removal. Zelenskyy named Mykhailo Drapatyi, a 43 year old general who forged his career during the current war with Russia, as the new army chief, announcing the decision in a statement on social media.

The crisis began last Thursday when Zelenskyy overhauled his wartime government, replacing his prime minister and dismissing Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov after just six months in the post. Zelenskyy said the move followed an unworkable rift between Fedorov and Syrskyi, telling reporters that since the two could not resolve their dispute, he would have to resolve it himself. Fedorov's removal triggered rare wartime demonstrations, with protesters demanding his reinstatement and Syrskyi's ouster instead, fearing the loss of recent military gains driven by Fedorov's technology-led reforms. A senior air force commander also resigned in protest during the unrest.

For many demonstrators, Syrskyi, 60, had come to symbolise an outdated Soviet style command culture. Born in Russia's Vladimir region and educated at a Moscow military school, he had earned the nickname The Butcher among critics who pointed to heavy casualties during a delayed withdrawal from Bakhmut and the disastrous retreat from Russia's Kursk region last year, which left soldiers stranded for days under enemy fire. Fedorov, by contrast, represented technological innovation and had publicly accused Syrskyi of blocking military reforms and fostering a top down command structure, criticism echoed by soldiers and veterans over the war's mounting toll.

Zelenskyy said he made the decision after a series of meetings with military commanders that began shortly after the protests erupted, and thanked Syrskyi for his consistent work strengthening the Ukrainian military. He separately met Fedorov on Tuesday and offered him a senior government role meant to unify the country's technology sector, though it remained unclear whether Fedorov had accepted. Fedorov congratulated Drapatyi's appointment, calling it new hope in the fight of free people for justice. This marks the second time in as many years that Zelenskyy has reversed course under street pressure, after protests last summer forced him to roll back a law weakening Ukraine's anti corruption watchdogs.