Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has dismissed the country’s Commander-in-Chief, Gen. Oleksandr Syrsky, and appointed Joint Forces Commander, Maj. Gen. Mykhailo Drapaty, as his replacement following a political crisis that erupted over the removal of former Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov.
Zelensky announced the appointment on Tuesday, bringing an end to Syrsky’s tenure, which began in 2024. The 60-year-old military commander, who played a key role in the defence of Kyiv during the early stages of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, was among Ukraine’s most senior battlefield commanders.
His removal follows days of public protests sparked by the dismissal of Fedorov, a 35-year-old reform-minded defence minister who accused Syrsky of frustrating efforts to modernise the military and influencing the decision to remove him from office. Syrsky denied the allegations.
Announcing the leadership change on Telegram, Zelensky expressed appreciation for Syrsky’s service while confirming Drapaty’s appointment.
“I have decided that the new Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine will be Mykhailo Drapaty,” Zelensky said.
“I am grateful to Oleksandr Syrsky and to each of our warriors for Ukraine’s strong frontline positions.”
The dispute between Fedorov and Syrsky exposed rare tensions within Ukraine’s military and political leadership at a time when Kyiv has recently recorded significant battlefield gains, including slowing Russian advances and intensifying long-range attacks on Russian oil facilities.
Drapaty, 43, is a decorated major general who previously led Ukraine’s ground forces and fought against Russian-backed separatists during the conflict in the Donbas region. He is widely recognised in Ukraine for a 2014 incident in Mariupol in which he reportedly drove an armoured vehicle through a separatist checkpoint.
Reacting to his appointment, Drapaty pledged to serve the country with dedication.
“Serving Ukraine has always been an honour for me, and during the war for independence it means absolute responsibility,” he said.
“Glory to the nation. Death to the enemies,” he said.
Fedorov welcomed the appointment, describing it as a positive step for Ukraine’s military campaign.
“This is a breath of fresh air and a new hope in the struggle of free people for freedom and justice,” he said.
Fedorov’s removal last week triggered demonstrations across Ukraine, with thousands demanding military reforms and calling for Syrsky’s dismissal.
Although Zelensky had previously resisted calls to replace Syrsky, analysts suggested the former army chief did not pose a political challenge to the president, unlike his predecessor, Valery Zaluzhny, who was also removed from office despite his popularity.
Syrsky had faced criticism over the handling of troop casualties and the pace of reforms relating to military procurement, equipment and mobilisation.
Drapaty becomes Ukraine’s third Commander-in-Chief since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022.
The leadership changes come as both Russia and Ukraine continue to intensify aerial attacks, while the United Nations has reported a rise in civilian casualties resulting from the conflict.
