Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has dismissed Oleksandr Syrskyi, the nation’s commander-in-chief, following significant public outcry over the dismissal of the highly regarded defense minister.
The new commander, Mykhailo Drapatyi, 43, is a younger general often seen as indicative of a fresh wave of military leadership that has developed during the ongoing conflict with Russia.
This restructuring follows Zelensky’s decision last week to remove defense minister Mykhailo Fedorov, 35, who gained acclaim for his innovative strategies in technology and recruitment but had disagreements with other leaders in Ukraine’s defense sector, including Syrskyi.
Syrskyi, who is 60 years old, hails from the Vladimir region of Russia, previously part of the Soviet Union, and was educated at a military academy in Moscow with peers who later became Russian military leaders. Some have critiqued him as lacking creativity, yet acknowledged his competence, while he faced backlash for prolonging the defense of Bakhmut at a high human cost.
Drapatyi, who takes over, previously commanded Ukraine’s Joint Forces and gained fame from a viral 2014 clip showing him maneuvering an armored infantry vehicle through separatist barricades in Mariupol.
Dmitry Peskov, a spokesperson for the Kremlin, remarked that he doubted Kyiv’s changes would “result in any alterations on the battlefield.” He stated on Wednesday that it was “obvious the Kyiv leadership is experiencing instability.”
Drapatyi is a highly regarded figure in the Ukrainian armed forces, having ascended through the ranks to become one of the most esteemed commanders in the nation.
Originating from western Ukraine, he attended military school in Kharkiv, which was liberated by Ukrainian forces in 2022 after a severe Russian occupation at the beginning of the conflict.
After Russia initiated its large-scale invasion, Drapatyi and his troops successfully stopped a Russian advance on Kryvyi Rih, Zelensky’s hometown in central Ukraine, and “liberated” various settlements in the Kherson and Dnipropetrovsk regions, as reported by the Kharkiv regional council.
In 2024, he was appointed the commander of the Ukrainian Land Forces, one of the highest positions in the military, before becoming the commander of the Joint Forces in the subsequent year.
The dismissal of Syrskyi is part of a larger overhaul of Ukraine’s military leadership. On Wednesday, Zelensky also appointed a new Chief of the General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces, Maj. Gen. Ihor Skybyuk, whom the president referred to as a “highly experienced military officer.”
‘The frontline is my life’
In announcing the military changes, Zelensky expressed gratitude to Syrskyi for his defense of Kyiv and his leadership in numerous offensive campaigns. “We share a common goal, which is to achieve victory over the adversary,” he remarked.
Following this, Drapatyi promised to approach his duties “with responsibility, focus, and respect” for the troops engaged in the conflict. He acknowledged Syrskyi’s contributions to fortifying Ukraine’s military during his extensive service, stating: “I grew up within its ranks.”
Syrskyi has been engaged in combat against Russia and its allies since 2014, when he commanded Ukrainian forces during a Moscow-supported insurgency in the eastern Donetsk and Luhansk regions, following the unlawful annexation of Crimea by Russia. “I have been part of this war since 2014,” he told USdaily’s Christiane Amanpour in an exclusive interview in 2024. “The frontline is my life.”
On Tuesday, Zelensky extended an offer of a “prominent position in government” to Fedorov, which would enable him to unify the technical aspects of the state and promote its advancement. It remains unclear whether Fedorov accepted this proposal.
Fedorov’s six-month term as defense minister aligned with recent Ukrainian successes on the battlefield, and his dismissal amid disagreements with Syrskyi sparked backlash against the military leader.
His strategies highlighted the critical role of new military technologies, especially drones, which have effectively countered Russian offensives and caused extensive damage to oil refineries deep within Russia.
As protests against Fedorov’s dismissal persisted, speculation regarding Syrskyi’s future grew. On Monday, Zelensky conferred with several of Ukraine’s senior generals, and his chief of staff made ambiguous remarks suggesting that “the sentiments of society have been acknowledged.”
Syrskyi, who is generally reserved in public statements, wrote an article for local military media on Monday expressing regret if he had offended Fedorov. He also took credit for creating a drone unit as a distinct military branch and rejected claims that he did not advocate for the extensive use of drones.
“I can’t transform an army of a million people to drones in a matter of two months and declare, ‘This is our new strategy,’” he stated. “Aside from the fact that this would be a reckless initiative, any large-scale experiment would come at the expense of our land and our citizens.”
Fedorov congratulated Drapatyi on his new role in a post on Telegram, stating “this brings a new breeze and fresh hope in the fight for freedom and justice.”
He also expressed gratitude to Syrskyi and acknowledged his contributions to Ukraine’s defense.
USdaily’s Tim Lister, Daria-Tarasova-Markina, Andrew Carey and Billy Stockwell contributed reporting.
