Following nearly a week of street protests in Kyiv, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has dismissed the country's military commander-in-chief in an effort to reset the war effort against Russia.
The decision to replace Oleksandr Syrskii with Mykhailo Drapatyi follows days of demonstrations sparked by the dismissal of Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov last week. Fedorov, a popular figure key to developing Ukraine's drone technology, had publicly clashed with Syrskii. He accused the general of blocking modernization and military reforms.
In his social media announcement, Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to Syrskii but emphasized the need to address friction in the military leadership, resolve mobilization issues, and improve front-line management. The president also met with Fedorov on Tuesday, offering him a new government post focused on unifying the country's technology sector.
The leadership shake-up comes at a critical time for Ukraine. In the first half of 2026, civilian casualties rose by 37 percent compared to the same period in 2025, with 1,396 civilians killed, according to the United Nations. Air strikes have intensified on both sides, while Ukraine's defense is hampered by a shortage of Patriot interceptor munitions. Furthermore, US-led peace negotiations have stalled as Washington's attention shifts toward its conflict with Iran.
The newly appointed commander, Mykhailo Drapatyi, is widely respected for his role in stopping Russian advances in 2014 and later defending Kryvyi Rih and Kharkiv. He previously served as the ground forces commander before resigning in 2025 after a deadly Russian strike on a military training center. It remains to be seen whether his appointment will satisfy protesters demanding a more effective strategy in the face of rising casualties.