Zelensky reviews 11 candidates to replace Syrsky, Bloomberg reports
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is reviewing a list of 11 candidates to replace Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrsky, Bloomberg reported citing sources.
Volodymyr Zelensky is reviewing a list of 11 candidates to replace Oleksandr Syrsky as commander-in-chief of Ukraine’s armed forces, Bloomberg sources reported. Mykhailo Drapatyi, commander of Ukraine’s Joint Forces, is considered the leading contender. Other candidates include Oleh Apostol (commander of the Airborne Assault Forces), Volodymyr Horbatiuk (deputy chief of the General Staff), Andriy Byletsky (commander of the 3rd Army Corps), and Denys Prokopenko (commander of the 1st National Guard Corps 'Azov').
According to Ukrainska Pravda and Liga.net, Apostol is Syrsky’s preferred candidate, while Drapatyi and Byletsky were recommended for the post by Mykhailo Fedorov, the defense minister dismissed on July 15. "Most of our sources in the army are currently betting on Drapatyi’s appointment," Ukrainska Pravda writes.
Fedorov attributed his dismissal to a conflict with Syrsky, triggering a wave of criticism against the commander-in-chief. Syrsky denies any conflict. Zelensky began weighing whether to dismiss the commander-in-chief he had previously refused to fire, according to media reports. Fedorov’s dismissal sparked protests in Ukraine that continue to this day.
The Financial Times reports that Zelensky and his team are trying to bring Fedorov back into the government. He has been offered various posts but is willing to return only as defense minister. Zelensky has already given that position to Yevhen Khmara, who previously headed Ukraine’s Security Service.
