Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has dismissed the country's army commander-in-chief, Oleksandr Syrskyi.
It 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, 43, who is a popular, battle-hardened general.
"I will work responsibly, with full focus, and with respect for the people who are defending our country today," Drapatyi said on Facebook.
He also thanked Syrskyi "for his consistent work to strengthen the Ukrainian army," adding: "I grew up in it."
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.
Mediocre_Belt373 on July 21st, 2026 at 20:01 UTC »
The internal feud between this guy (Syrskyi) and the former defense minister (Fedorov) is said to have led to Zelensky firing Fedorov a few days ago. This led to huge protests in Ukraine over the past few days.
Fedorov, who is 35, was leading a push to overhaul Ukraine's military doctrine, while Syrskyi, who is 60, was seen as a more old-fashioned, Soviet-style commander, and had the respect of many of Ukraine's older, senior generals. Syrskyi gave an ultimatum to Zelensky to sack Fedorov, after a dispute arose between them. Zelensky fired Fedorov, triggering the protests.
It seems now Zelensky has also sacked Syrskyi after the protests.
wild_cherry1987 on July 21st, 2026 at 20:00 UTC »
Is he going go reinstate fedorov ?
zilo94 on July 21st, 2026 at 19:51 UTC »
Unlikely to undo the unrest it’s caused. However it is good the mistake was recognised and some attempt to remedy.