{"id":370009,"date":"2026-07-22T05:04:12","date_gmt":"2026-07-21T23:34:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ebiztoday.news\/?p=370009"},"modified":"2026-07-22T05:04:12","modified_gmt":"2026-07-21T23:34:12","slug":"zelenskyy-replaces-ukraine-army-chief-after-protests-over-military-leadership-national","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ebiztoday.news\/index.php\/2026\/07\/22\/zelenskyy-replaces-ukraine-army-chief-after-protests-over-military-leadership-national\/","title":{"rendered":"Zelenskyy replaces Ukraine army chief after protests over military leadership – National"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday fired Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi as commander-in-chief of Ukraine\u2019s armed forces and named his substitute, following days of mass protests in Kyiv, the country\u2019s capital, and other cities across the nation demanding his removal.<\/p>\n

It was the second major change Zelenskyy has made under street pressure, after protests last summer forced him to undo a law weakening Ukraine\u2019s anti-corruption watchdogs.<\/p>\n

Zelenskyy appointed Mykhailo Drapatyi as the brand new army chief, based on an announcement on social media. \u201cOur shared wish is one \u2014 victory over the enemy and conditions on the front and in pressure on Russia that may force Russia toward peace,\u201d Zelenskyy said.<\/p>\n

The Ukrainian leader said he made the choice after a series of meetings with military commanders. They began shortly after protests broke out demanding the reinstatement of former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, seen by demonstrators as a driver of military modernization, and the removal of Syrskyi, who they said embodied the military\u2019s old, Soviet-style command culture.<\/p>\n

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Zelenskyy thanked Syrskyi for his achievements in Ukraine\u2019s fight against Russia and praised him for the defense of Kyiv and for operations in Kharkiv and Kursk.<\/p>\n

\u201cI’m grateful to Oleksandr Syrskyi and to each one in all our warriors for Ukraine\u2019s strong front-line positions,\u201d he said. \u201cI’m grateful to Mykhailo Drapatyi for holding that very same view.\u201d<\/p>\n

Drapatyi wrote in a Facebook post that serving Ukraine \u201chas at all times been an honor for me, and through this war for independence, it means absolute responsibility.\u201d He thanked Syrskyi for his consistent work strengthening the Ukrainian military.<\/p>\n

\u201cI grew up in it,\u201d he added, referring to the military. \u201cI’ll work responsibly, with focus and with respect for the people defending our state today.\u201d<\/p>\n

Zelenskyy said Drapatyi and other commanders must present an updated defense strategy, including continued reform of the corps system, faster weapons and drone deliveries, stronger air defense against Russian strikes and a clearer mobilization plan.<\/p>\n

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Zelenskyy met individually with Fedorov on Tuesday and offered him what he called a respected position in the federal government that may unify the country\u2019s technology sector. It wasn\u2019t clear if Fedorov accepted the offer \u2014 or whether the most recent moves would satisfy protesters and calm the streets.<\/p>\n

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Fedorov congratulated Drapatyi, calling the appointment \u201crecent hope within the fight of free people for freedom and justice\u201d and \u201ca voice for change that might not go unheard.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Fedorov had criticized Syrskyi publicly before his dismissal, saying the overall was blocking his reform efforts and needed to get replaced for Ukraine to not fail in its resistance against Russia. He said Ukrainians\u2019 high expectations must now be met with a transparent vision for ending the war, decisive motion to preserve soldiers\u2019 lives, expand robotic warfare on the front, strike asymmetrically and exhaust Russia\u2019s economy.<\/p>\n

Fedorov called Syrskyi to thank him for defending the Kyiv region, the Kharkiv operation and other battles, calling it \u201calready a very important a part of Ukraine\u2019s history\u201d but adding that the country must \u201cmove even faster and write recent chapters, correcting all previous mistakes.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\t\tThe military chief’s dismissal was sparked by protests\t\t\t<\/h2>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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