UkrainePublished: 21 July 2026 at 23:36

Zelensky fires army chief Oleksandr Syrsky, a 'victory for protestors'

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday dismissed army chief Oleksandr Syrsky and appointed Major General Mykhailo Drapaty as his replacement, following protests demanding Syrsky's removal.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Tuesday that Major General Mykhailo Drapaty will take over as Ukraine's commander-in-chief after firing Soviet-trained top commander Oleksandr Syrsky. The move comes after protests a week ago when Zelensky fired Fedorov. Protestors took to the streets demanding Syrsky be dismissed, and they consider his firing a victory. According to FRANCE 24 correspondent Gulliver Cragg, Drapaty was the one Fedorov wanted to see in that position to replace Syrsky.

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