Ukraine's Zelenskyy sacks army chief Syrsky

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced Tuesday the dismissal of Oleksandr Syrsky, the commander-in-chief of Ukraine's army. Syrsky, 60, had held the position since 2024 and was a highly experienced commander, notably leading the defense of Kyiv at the outset of Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022.

Zelenskyy stated on Telegram that Mykhailo Drapaty, currently the commander of joint forces, will take over as the new Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The president expressed gratitude to Syrsky and "each of our warriors for Ukraine's strong front-line positions."

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I have decided that the new Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine will be Mykhailo Drapaty.

Syrsky's removal comes after a tumultuous week that saw the dismissal of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. Fedorov, a popular figure known for his efforts in modernizing the military, was removed just six months after his appointment. He had publicly accused Syrsky of obstructing his reform initiatives and pressuring Zelenskyy to have him ousted, allegations that Syrsky denied.

Ukrainian media had long reported tensions between Fedorov and Syrsky. Fedorov, 35, is recognized for his tech-savvy approach to military modernization, which reportedly put him at odds with the army's established leadership.

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I am grateful to Oleksandr Syrsky and to each of our warriors for Ukraine's strong front-line positions.