Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has removed the country’s commander-in-chief, General Oleksandr Syrskyi, following days of demonstrations triggered by the sacking of Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. Zelensky dismissed Fedorov last week, a move that drew crowds onto streets and exposed a public rift within Ukraine’s military leadership over Kyiv’s approach to the war against Russia. The protests continued even as the president moved to reshape his defence team. Offer to FedorovOn Tuesday, Zelensky said Fedorov had been offered a “prominent position in government”, describing it as a role that would let him help “unify the technical component of our state” and ensure its development. It was not immediately clear whether the minister had accepted the proposal. Fedorov, 35, had built a reputation for promoting innovation in technology and recruitment, but his tenure also saw friction with other figures in the defence establishment. His removal came after recent battlefield successes by Ukrainian forces, increasing the political and institutional backlash against Syrskyi. Drone strategy at the centre of disputeA central part of Fedorov’s policies was the push for advanced military technology, particularly drones. Ukrainian use of unmanned systems has helped slow Russian progress and has contributed to attacks on targets including oil refineries located deep inside Russia, according to the account of his role in defence policy. As protests against Fedorov’s departure continued, attention shifted to Syrskyi’s future. On Monday, Zelensky met with several senior generals, and the chief of staff later issued comments described as signalling that “the position of society has been heard”. Syrskyi, who seldom speaks publicly, published an opinion piece in local military media on Monday in which he said he was sorry if he had offended Fedorov. He also said he was responsible for setting up a drone unit as a separate branch of the military and rejected suggestions that he opposed the broad use of drones. In the article, Syrskyi said: “I can’t switch a million-people army to drones in two months and say, ‘Now this is how we’re going to fight,’” adding that he viewed an accelerated change as risky. He argued that large-scale experimentation would carry costs for Ukrainian land and people. New appointmentZelensky later named Mykhailo Drapatyi as Syrskyi’s replacement. Drapatyi is the commander of Ukraine’s Joint Forces. Wider fallout in defence leadershipThe reshuffle marks a further turn in a widening dispute between senior figures in Ukraine’s wartime leadership, sparked by last week’s removal of a minister described as popular for his technology and recruitment agenda, and intensified by protests that drew attention to differences over how Kyiv should pursue the war. Join the discussion? 22 July 2026
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