Zelenskyy Dismisses Army Chief, Appoints Young Successor to Calm Public Backlash

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has ultimately dismissed General Oleksandr Syrskyi, 60, as the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in an effort to calm rapidly worsening public sentiment over internal military conflicts.

AFP and other foreign news outlets reported that President Zelenskyy announced via Telegram on the 21st (local time) that Lieutenant General Mykhailo Drapatyi, 43, commander of the Joint Forces, has been appointed to succeed Syrskyi.

The newly appointed Commander-in-Chief Drapatyi is well-known for a 2014 video from the Donbas war in which he drove an armored vehicle through a checkpoint set up by pro-Russian separatist militia in Mariupol during combat.

Following President Zelenskyy's announcement, Drapatyi stated on Facebook, "It is always an honor to serve Ukraine," adding, "During a war for independence, this means absolute responsibility."

The dismissed former commander-in-chief Syrskyi had held the position since 2024.

He is a figure with extensive battlefield experience, having commanded the defense operations of the capital, Kyiv, in the early days of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

However, public backlash grew fierce and nationwide protests broke out recently after President Zelenskyy dismissed former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, 35, a reformist who successfully led drone warfare, and it became known that the reason for his dismissal was a dispute with former Commander Syrskyi.

The younger former minister Fedorov and the veteran former commander Syrskyi had experienced severe conflicts over the priorities of strategies and tactics needed for the war.

Regarding the clash between the two, AFP reported that it "exposed divisions within Ukraine's military and political leadership at a time when Ukraine has gained the upper hand in the war in months."

Reuters reported that Commander Drapatyi enjoys the support of some protesters who had demanded the dismissal of former Commander Syrskyi.

Regarding Drapatyi's appointment, former Minister Fedorov welcomed it, saying it "breathed new hope" into Ukraine's fight.

President Zelenskyy did not specify what future activities former Commander Syrskyi would undertake, stating only that he had discussed future service with him.

He added that he had proposed an "appropriate position" overseeing the national technology sector to former Minister Fedorov.

At the same time, he emphasized, "Operations of the Ukrainian Armed Forces are ongoing and must continue steadily."

(Photo: Getty Images)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.