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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has dismissed the country’s Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Oleksandr Syrskyi, reports BBC.
The decision comes just days after the removal of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, whose dismissal triggered protests across the country. Initial reports suggested tensions between Fedorov and Syrskyi, and those reports were later confirmed.
The 35-year-old Fedorov had earned widespread praise for bringing new momentum to the Ministry of Defense, modernizing the armed forces, and advancing anti-corruption reforms. In contrast, the 60-year-old Syrskyi was viewed by many Ukrainians as a Soviet-style military commander who was reluctant to introduce major reforms within the armed forces.
Syrskyi has been replaced by the 43-year-old, battle-tested and widely respected General Mykhailo Drapatyi.
In a Facebook message after assuming office, Drapatyi said, “I will carry out my responsibilities with dedication, full focus, and deep respect for those who are defending our country today.”
He also thanked his predecessor, saying, “I am grateful to Oleksandr Syrskyi for his continuous efforts to strengthen the Ukrainian Armed Forces. I grew up in this army.”
In a video address posted on social media on Tuesday night, President Zelenskyy also praised Syrskyi’s military leadership. He specifically thanked him for his crucial role in successfully defending the capital, Kyiv, during the early stages of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.