Zelenskyy dismisses army chief Syrskyi in U-turn after protests over Fedorov sacking

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has dismissed Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Oleksandr Syrskyi and appointed Joint Forces Commander Mykhailo Drapatyi as his replacement, marking the most significant military leadership change since the early years of Russia’s full-scale invasion.

The decision, announced late on Tuesday, comes after days of nationwide protests sparked by the earlier removal of popular Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov and is widely seen as a response to public pressure.

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According to EUalive’s partner Suspilne, Zelenskyy made the announcement following meetings with senior military and political figures. “I have determined that the new Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine will be Mykhailo Drapatyi. Together with Mykhailo, Yevhenii Khmara and Pavlo Palisa, we have determined how the configuration of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine should be updated,” Zelenskyy said. The formal decrees are expected to be signed today.

Suspilne reported that Drapatyi, a battle-tested general who previously commanded land forces and joint operations, responded by emphasising responsibility in wartime. “Service to Ukraine has always been an honour for me, and during the war for independence it means absolute responsibility. I will work responsibly, focused and with respect for the people who are defending our state today,” Drapatyi stated. He also thanked Syrskyi “for his consistent work to strengthen the Ukrainian army.”

The move follows a week of political turmoil that began when Zelenskyy did not renominate Fedorov as defence minister during a broader government reshuffle announced earlier in July. Fedorov, a young, tech-oriented official credited with advancing Ukraine’s drone capabilities and military modernisation, publicly described tensions with Syrskyi. According to Suspilne, Fedorov said he had been ready to work but faced an ultimatum from the commander-in-chief. Zelenskyy himself later commented on the friction, noting that “without me they cannot resolve the issue.”

Protests erupted across Ukraine, including in Kyiv, Odesa, Kharkiv and other cities, with demonstrators holding signs calling for Fedorov’s reinstatement and Syrskyi’s removal. Suspilne described the gatherings as peaceful, with slogans such as “Bring back Fedorov” and chants targeting the military leadership. Some protesters explicitly linked the two demands, viewing Syrskyi’s more traditional command style as an obstacle to the reforms Fedorov championed. By the third day of demonstrations, the pressure had become intense enough that Zelenskyy’s decision to remove Syrskyi was interpreted by many observers as a direct concession.

Reports indicate that Zelenskyy has already approached Fedorov with an offer of a high-level government role focused on technological capabilities and their development. Fedorov, who called Syrskyi after the dismissal to thank him for contributions including the defence of Kyiv and the 2022 Kharkiv counteroffensive, has not yet publicly accepted any new post. Suspilne noted that Fedorov described Syrskyi’s tenure as “an important part of Ukraine’s history” while stressing the need to “move even faster and write new chapters, correcting previous mistakes.”

Syrskyi, 60, had led the armed forces since early 2024 after succeeding Valerii Zaluzhnyi. He is credited with key early successes, including the organisation of Kyiv’s defence in February 2022 and the rapid advances that liberated large parts of Kharkiv Oblast later that year. Critics, however, accused him of a rigid, Soviet-influenced approach that prioritised holding ground at high human cost and slowed technological adaptation. Drapatyi, significantly younger at 43, is seen by supporters of reform as better aligned with a more flexible, technology-driven strategy.

The leadership change occurs against the backdrop of ongoing intense fighting, with Russian forces pressing on multiple axes. Zelenskyy framed the reshuffle as necessary for strengthening Ukraine’s positions: the new team is expected to prepare an updated defence strategy and continue reforms of the corps system.

Congratulations to Major General Mykhailo Drapatyi on his appointment as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
This is a breath of fresh air and a new source of hope in the fight of free people for freedom and justice. It is the voice of change that could no longer…
— Mykhailo Fedorov (@FedorovMykhailo) July 21, 2026

The article in Ukrainian by EUalive’s partner Suspilne can be found here.

Caption: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (L) and Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi (R) attend the handover of drone missiles to the Ukrainian Armed Forces in Kyiv, Ukraine, 06 December 2024 (re-issued 21 July 2026). Ukraine’s President Zelensky on 21 July 2026 dismissed Oleksandr Syrskyi from his post as commander-in-chief of Ukraine’s Armed Forces and appointed Mykhailo Drapatyi to replace him. EPA/SERGEY DOLZHENKO