Zelenskyy took over as head of Ukraine’s armed forces amid calls from protesters to do so
On Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy fired General Oleksandr Syrskyi as head of the Ukrainian army and replaced him, following mass protests in Kyiv, the capital and other cities across the country demanding his removal.
It was the second major change Zelenskyy has made under pressure from the streets, 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 on the front and the pressure on Russia that will force Russia to be peaceful,” 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 modernist military leader, and the removal of Syrskyi, who they say embodies the old Soviet-style command of the military.
Zelenskyy thanks the outgoing army chief
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 in a Facebook post 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 said of 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.
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 unclear whether Fedorov would accept the offer, or whether the latest move would satisfy the protesters.
Approval of Fedorov’s voice
Fedorov congratulated Drapatyi, calling the appointment “new hope in the free people’s fight for freedom and justice” and “a voice of change that cannot be heard.”
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, calling it “an important part of the history of Ukraine” but adding that the country should “move quickly and write new chapters, correct all the mistakes of the past.”
Andrew Chang breaks down why Ukraine’s air defenses failed to intercept any missiles fired by Russia during its latest offensive. Photos provided by The Canadian Press, Reuters, Adobe Stock and Getty Images
The crisis began last Thursday, when Zelenskyy reshuffled his wartime government, took over as prime minister and fired Fedorov as defense minister after just six months in the post.
Zelenskyy cited an unworkable rift between Fedorov and Syrskyi, telling reporters that since the two could not 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 backlash spread to the military
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 to 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.
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 gruesome nickname “Butcher,” which spread especially during the defense of Bakhmut, one of the longest and most expensive battles.
Syrskyi became commander-in-chief of the army in February 2024, replacing General Valerii Zaluzhnyi, who became Ukraine’s Ambassador to the United Kingdom.
Zelenskyy did not comment on Syrskyi’s new post, saying that he had discussed with him the future service of the four stars.
Ukraine has been in a state of perpetual war with Russia for more than four years, after Moscow launched an all-out attack on its neighbor in February 2022.
