Zelensky sacks Ukraine's top army commander after days of protests

Zelensky sacks Ukraine's top army commander after days of protests

Oleksandr Syrskyi. File photoImage source, Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images
Image caption,

Oleksandr Syrskyi was praised by President Zelensky for successfully defending Ukraine's capital Kyiv in 2022

ByJaroslav Lukiv
  • Published
    21 July 2026, 20:43 BST
Updated 36 minutes ago

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has sacked the country's commander-in-chief, Oleksandr Syrskyi.

His dismissal comes just days after the removal of popular Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov – a move that triggered street protests across the country.

Initial rumours that the end of Fedorov's tenure was related to a conflict between him and Syrskyi were soon confirmed.

Fedorov, 35, has been widely praised for energising the ministry and transforming the armed forces, as well as leading a drive against corruption.

Syrskyi, 60, is seen by many in Ukraine as a Soviet-school commander reluctant to implement radical changes in the army.

He was replaced by Mykhailo Drapatyi, who is a popular, battle-hardened general.

In a video post on social media late on Tuesday, Zelensky thanked Syrskyi for his military campaigns, including his role in successfully defending the capital Kyiv during the first days of Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022.

Zelensky also revealed that earlier in the day, he met Fedorov and offered him a "worthy position in power", but did not say whether the offer had been accepted.

Fedorov was last week replaced by Yevhenii Khmara, a former top official at Ukraine's Security Service (SBU).

"All decisions will be formalised tomorrow," Zelensky added in his post.

Mykhailo Fedorov. File photoImage source, TT/Reuters
Image caption,

Mykhailo Fedorov has not said whether he accepted a new job offer from President Zelensky

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