Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy fired his military commander-in-chief, Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi, after days of protests calling for his removal, naming Mykhailo Drapatyi as the new army chief.
Key facts
- Zelenskyy fired Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi as commander-in-chief of Ukraine's armed forces.
- The dismissal followed days of protests demanding Syrskyi's removal.
- Mykhailo Drapatyi was appointed as the new army chief.
- Syrskyi had clashed with former Defence Minister Fedorov, whose removal last week sparked the protests.
- Zelenskyy announced the appointment in a statement on social media.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has fired Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi as commander-in-chief of Ukraine’s armed forces, according to NPR. The move came after days of protests demanding Syrskyi’s removal.
Zelenskyy appointed Mykhailo Drapatyi as the new army chief, announcing the decision in a statement on social media, according to CNBC.
The protests that preceded the dismissal were connected to broader tensions within Ukraine’s military and political leadership. According to Al Jazeera, Syrskyi had clashed with former Defence Minister Fedorov, whose removal the previous week led to the demonstrations.
The change places Drapatyi at the head of Ukraine’s armed forces at a time of heightened public scrutiny of the country’s military leadership. The reporting from the outlets does not detail the specific reasons cited for Syrskyi’s removal beyond the protests and the reported clash with Fedorov.
Multiple outlets, including NPR, CNBC and Al Jazeera, reported the dismissal and appointment on July 21, 2026. The sources do not provide further comment from Syrskyi or Drapatyi.
Why it matters
Changes at the top of Ukraine's military command carry significant weight for the country's defense and its leadership structure. Public protests forcing a shake-up of senior figures highlight the domestic political pressures shaping decisions in Kyiv.
Frequently asked questions
Who did Zelenskyy fire as Ukraine's military chief?
Zelenskyy dismissed Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi as commander-in-chief of Ukraine's armed forces, according to NPR.
Who is replacing Syrskyi?
Mykhailo Drapatyi was appointed as the new army chief, according to CNBC and NPR.
Why was the military chief removed?
The dismissal followed days of protests demanding Syrskyi's removal. Al Jazeera reported that Syrskyi had clashed with former Defence Minister Fedorov, whose removal the previous week led to the protests.