On July 23, 2026, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed General Oleksandr Syrskyi as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, appointing General Mykhailo Drapatyi as his successor. The change was announced via a presidential decree, citing the need for new leadership approaches in the ongoing war with Russia.
General Drapatyi, previously commander of Ukraine's Ground Forces, is known for his role in the 2022 Kharkiv counteroffensive. The reshuffle follows the removal of Defence Minister Rustem Umerov earlier in July, which sparked limited protests in Kyiv. Zelensky stated the moves aim to streamline military command and accelerate battlefield strategies.
The dismissal of Syrskyi, who led the army since February 2024, comes amid renewed Russian offensives in eastern Ukraine. Analysts suggest the change reflects Zelensky's desire for more aggressive tactics. No further details on the protests or their scale were independently verified.
