Zelenskyy took over the post of chief of the army in Ukraine after protests against the leadership of the military – National
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday fired Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi as the commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian army and appointed his replacement, following many protests in Kyiv, the capital of the country and in other cities across the country demanding his removal from office.
It was the second major change Zelenskyy has made under street pressure, after protests last summer forced him to roll back a law that weakened Ukraine’s anti-corruption watchdog.
Zelenskyy appointed Mykhailo Drapatyi as the new army chief, according to a statement on social media. “Our shared desire is to defeat the enemy and the conditions at the front and the pressure on Russia that will force Russia to move towards peace,” Zelenskyy said.
The Ukrainian leader said he took the decision 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 protesters as a military modernist, and the removal of Syrskyi, who they say embodies the old Soviet-style command of the military.
Zelenskyy thanked Syrskyi for his success in the Ukrainian-Russian war and praised him for the defense of Kyiv and the operations in Kharkiv and Kursk.
“I thank Oleksandr Syrskyi and all our heroes for the strong positions of Ukraine,” he said. “I thank Mykhailo Drapatyi for having the same idea.”
Drapatyi wrote on Facebook that serving Ukraine “has always been an honor for me, and during this war for independence, it means a complete responsibility.” He thanked Syrskyyi for his consistent work in strengthening the Ukrainian military.
“I grew up in it,” he added, referring to the army. “I will work responsibly, focus and honor the people who protect our country today.”
Zelenskyy said Drapatyi and other administrations must introduce a revised defense strategy, including a continuous reform of the corps system, rapid weapons and drone delivery, stronger air defenses against Russian strikes and a clear coordination plan.
The future of the former defense minister in the government is still unclear
Zelenskyy met separately with Fedorov on Tuesday and offered him what he called a prestigious government post that would unite the country’s technology sector. It was not clear whether Fedorov would accept the offer – or whether the latest moves would satisfy the protesters and create street protests.
Fedorov congratulated Drapatyi, calling the appointment “a new hope in the struggle of free people for freedom and justice” and “a revolutionary voice that cannot be heard.”
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Fedorov publicly criticized Syrskyyi before his dismissal, saying the general was blocking his reform efforts and needed to be replaced so that Ukraine would not fail in its resistance to Russia. He said that the expectations of the Ukrainian people must now be met with a clear vision of ending the war, a decisive step to save the lives of the soldiers, increase the robot war on the front, strike equally and destroy the Russian economy.
Fedorov called Syrskyi to thank him for the defense of the Kyiv region, the operation of Kharkiv and other battles, which he called “an important part of the history of Ukraine” but added that the country must “move quickly and write new chapters, correct all the mistakes of the past.”
The dismissal of the army chief sparked protests
The crisis began last Thursday, when Zelenskyy reshuffled his wartime government, replacing him as prime minister and firing Mykhailo Fedorov as defense minister after just six months in office.
Zelenskyy cited the disagreement between Fedorov and Syrskyi, telling reporters that since the two were unable to resolve their dispute, “he will have to resolve it.”
After his dismissal, Fedorov publicly accused Syrskyi of obstructing military reforms and promoting a culture of high-handedness, a criticism that echoed complaints from soldiers and veterans of serious injuries in the costly attacks.
The swift change drew thousands of protesters to the streets of Kyiv and other cities, calling for Fedorov’s removal as Zelenskyy joined forces with the revolutionary-oriented military old guard.
The backlash quickly spread within the military: The deputy commander of the Air Force resigned in protest, warning that the move would weaken Ukraine’s air defenses; veterans and retired soldiers joined protests in Kyiv and other cities, and dozens of military personnel spoke out against Syrskyi on social media.
Criticism of the military chief was intense
Syrskyi has long been associated with the Soviet-style, high-command culture, and many protesters say they want a new generation of generals who will prioritize saving soldiers’ lives.
Within the military, Syrskyi earned the dreaded nickname “Butcher,” which spread especially during the defense of Bakhmut, one of the longest and most expensive battles.
His already fragile public standing was further eroded after the Ukrainian company Babel published an investigation in June detailing allegations of abuse in the Skelia assault group, a unit closely related to Syrskyi that has reportedly suffered more than the war’s average. The investigation revealed a large number of people who died among the recruits.
© 2026 The Canadian Press
