Zelenskyy replaces Ukraine's military chief after protests

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Tuesday the replacement of the country's commander-in-chief, Oleksandr Syrskyi, with General Mykhailo Drapatyi. The move is intended to "reset" the ongoing war effort against Russia, according to Zelenskyy.

The dismissal followed a week of protests in Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities, sparked by the firing of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov last week. Fedorov and Syrskyi had previously clashed. Demonstrators demanded accountability and a more effective military strategy, criticizing Syrskyi's handling of the war amid rising casualties.

In a social media statement, Zelenskyy thanked Syrskyi and all troops for maintaining strong front-line positions. "I am grateful to Oleksandr Syrskyi and to every one of our warriors for Ukraine's strong front-line positions. I am grateful to Mykhailo Drapatyi for holding that same view," he said. The president emphasized the need to address friction within the military leadership and resolve persistent issues regarding mobilization and frontline management.

Meanwhile, Danielle Bell, head of the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, reported on Tuesday that 1,396 civilians were killed and 7,978 wounded in the first six months of 2026. This represents a 37% increase from the same period in 2025 and nearly double the number for 2024.

Both Moscow and Kyiv have intensified airstrikes targeting each other's vital infrastructure. US-led talks to end Russia's invasion remain stalled, with US attention largely focused on its war on Iran. Russia has frequently used ballistic missiles, while Ukraine is short of Patriot interceptor munitions. In retaliation, Ukraine has stepped up strikes on Russian territory, mainly targeting oil depots.