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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the dismissal of Oleksandr Syrskyi as commander-in-chief of the armed forces in a video address posted on social media late on July 21. Zelensky thanked Syrskyi for his role in defending Kyiv during the initial phase of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022 and for subsequent military campaigns. The decision followed six days of street protests that erupted after Zelensky removed popular Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov the previous week, a move that multiple outlets including the New York Times and NBC News linked to tensions between Fedorov and Syrskyi over reforms such as expanded drone and robotics use in the military.
Mykhailo Drapatyi, a 43-year-old battle-hardened general who previously commanded Ukraine’s Ground Forces from 2024 to 2025 according to Wikipedia and Ukrainian official records, assumed the top military role. Drapatyi stated on Facebook that he would work responsibly with full focus and respect for those defending the country today while thanking Syrskyi for consistent efforts to strengthen the army and noting that he grew up in its ranks. Fedorov, who had been defence minister since January 2025 and was credited by the BBC and the New York Times with energising the ministry through initiatives like the IT Army of Ukraine and the Army of Drones fundraising campaign, publicly congratulated Drapatyi and described the appointment as a new hope in the fight of free people for freedom and justice.
The protests that pressured Zelensky centred on demands for Syrskyi’s removal and Fedorov’s reinstatement, with demonstrators in several cities highlighting perceived resistance to modernisation within the military command. Syrskyi had addressed the unrest in a Monday op-ed for the Militarny website, where he described his relationship with Fedorov as a working one and apologised if he had offended anyone while arguing that issues around contracts, procurement and mobilisation were more complex than protest slogans suggested. Zelensky met with Fedorov on the day of the announcement and offered him a worthy position in power though it remained unclear if it was accepted, with Yevhenii Khmara serving as acting defence minister for the time being.
Drapatyi and Khmara have been tasked by Zelensky with developing a new defence strategy that addresses reform of the military corps system along with weapons supply and drone integration. The Guardian reported that Zelensky emphasised medium and long-range strikes against Russia would continue under the new commander as the conflict entered its fifth year since the 2022 invasion. Drapatyi’s appointment marks the most significant shake-up in Ukraine’s military leadership since Syrskyi himself succeeded Valerii Zaluzhnyi in February 2024, a transition that also followed public and internal debates over war conduct.
Fedorov’s ouster had drawn particular criticism because of his track record in advancing technology on the battlefield, including gamification systems that rewarded units for destroying Russian assets. Speaking to Arab Times equivalents in regional coverage, analysts noted the move risked alienating reform-minded segments of society and the military at a time when Ukraine faces ongoing pressure along the front lines. Syrskyi has not issued further public comment beyond his earlier op-ed since the leadership change took effect.
The episode underscores strains within Ukraine’s wartime leadership as the country balances innovation against traditional command structures amid sustained Russian aggression. Public backing for Fedorov’s approach appeared strong during the protests, which multiple news outlets described as among the largest in recent months focused on military policy. All formal decisions related to the reshuffle were set to be formalised in official decrees the following day.
