Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has ultimately dismissed Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, 60, in a bid to quell rapidly worsening public sentiment surrounding internal military conflicts.

President Zelenskyy announced via Telegram on the 21st, local time, that he has appointed Joint Forces Commander Mykhailo Drapaty, 43, as Syrskyi's successor.

The newly appointed Commander-in-Chief Drapaty is well-known for a 2014 video from the Donbas war where, while engaging pro-Russian separatist militias, he drove an armored vehicle straight through a separatist checkpoint in Mariupol.

Following President Zelenskyy's announcement, Drapaty took to Facebook, expressing his resolve by stating, "It is always an honor to serve Ukraine," and adding, "During a war for independence, this means absolute responsibility."

The ousted former commander 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 stages of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

However, public backlash intensified and nationwide protests erupted recently after President Zelenskyy dismissed former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, 35, a reformist who successfully led drone warfare, and reports surfaced that his dismissal stemmed from a dispute with former Commander Syrskyi.

The young former minister Fedorov and the veteran former commander Syrskyi had clashed severely over strategic and tactical priorities necessary for the war.

Reuters reported that Commander-in-Chief Drapaty enjoys the support of some protesters who had demanded the dismissal of former Commander Syrskyi.

Former Minister Fedorov welcomed Drapaty's appointment that day, stating that it has "breathed new hope" into the fight against Russia.

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

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

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

The Financial Times previously reported that President Zelenskyy offered Fedorov a senior position on the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) directly under the president, but Fedorov reportedly hopes only to return to a ministerial post.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)