Zelensky sacks Ukrainian army chief in response to public pressure
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday sacked General Oleksandr Syrsky from his post as commander-in-chief of Ukraine's armed forces after days of mass protests in Kyiv and other cities across the country to demand his removal.
Zelensky appointed Mykhailo Drabaty as the new army chief, according to a statement posted on social media.
"Our common desire is the same – victory over the enemy, creating conditions on the front line and exerting pressure on Russia that would force Russia to make peace," Zelensky said.
The Ukrainian leader added that he made the decision after a series of meetings with military commanders, which began shortly after protests erupted demanding the reinstatement of former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, whom protesters see as an engine of military modernization, and the dismissal of Syrsky, who they said embodies the military's old Soviet-style leadership culture.
Zelensky thanked Syrsky for his achievements in Ukraine's fight against Russia, praising his defense of Kyiv and his operations in Kharkiv and Kursk, saying, "I am grateful to Oleksandr Syrsky and each of our fighters for consolidating Ukraine's strong positions on the front lines," adding, "I am grateful to Mykhailo Drabaty for adopting the same vision."
Protests over the dismissal of Ukraine's defense minister
The ouster of Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, last Wednesday evening, rare demonstrations in the capital Kyiv and about ten Ukrainian cities, raised fears about the impact of the decision on the country's ability to repel Russian attacks and the continuation of strikes deep inside Russia, as thousands of Ukrainians came out to demand the retention of the minister, who is the architect of the development of Ukraine's "Drone Army" and the holder of the file of digital military reforms.
In a press conference, Fedorov revealed deep differences with the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, Oleksandr Syrsky, accusing him of obstructing reforms and rejecting initiatives related to the development of military leadership, saying that "all the initiatives we proposed were rejected."
Zelensky refuses to listen to protesters
Zelensky stressed that the dispute was "personal" and that attempts to achieve coordination between the Ministry of Defense and the military command had failed, announcing the appointment of Major General Yevgeny Khamara as acting defense minister until next August.
The dismissal has sparked Western concern, with European officials questioning why a figure who has played a pivotal role in developing digital and military capabilities has been replaced, while the Financial Times called the decision "self-destructive."
Despite the dismissal, analysts believe Fedorov could become a rising political icon in Ukraine, given his widespread popularity and public trust in him, with polls showing that 50% of Ukrainians trust him versus only 21% who do not.