Zelensky dismisses Ukraine’s military chief after protests

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has dismissed the country's commander-in-chief, General Oleksandr Syrskyi, following days of public protests over the removal of the popular former defense minister, Mykhailo Fedorov. The decision, announced on July 22, 2026, resolves a political crisis that had exposed deep divisions within Ukraine's military leadership during the ongoing war with Russia.

General Syrskyi will be replaced by Mykhailo Drapatyi, the commander of Ukraine's Joint Forces. Fedorov publicly congratulated Drapatyi on his appointment in a social media post, calling it a new wind and a new hope. He also thanked Syrskyi for his efforts in defending Ukraine.

The unrest began after Fedorov was removed from his post as defense minister a week prior, a move officials attributed to irreconcilable disagreements between him and Syrskyi. The 35-year-old Fedorov, known for championing technological innovation and drone warfare during his six-month tenure, enjoyed significant public support. His dismissal triggered sustained street protests in Kyiv and other major cities, including Lviv, Odesa, and Dnipro, with demonstrators demanding his reinstatement and Syrskyi's removal.