Zelensky Replaces Head of Ukraine's Armed Forces

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Tuesday the dismissal of Oleksandr Sirsky, the commander-in-chief of Ukraine's armed forces. Zelensky stated that Mykhailo Drapaty, the popular commander of the joint forces, will take over the position.

"I have decided that the new commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine will be Mykhailo Drapaty," Zelensky said in a Telegram post. He also expressed gratitude to Sirsky and all Ukrainian soldiers for maintaining strong positions on the front lines.

Sirsky, 60, had held the post of commander-in-chief since 2024 and led the defense of Kyiv at the beginning of the Russian invasion in 2022. His removal comes after several days of demonstrations supporting Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, who was dismissed on July 14.

Fedorov reportedly accused Sirsky of pushing for his ouster and hindering his attempts at army reform. Sirsky, who was born in Russia and trained in Moscow, faced criticism for allegedly disregarding human losses, earning him the nickname "the butcher."

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I have decided that the new commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine will be Mykhailo Drapaty... I am grateful to Oleksandr Sirsky and to each of our fighters for Ukraine's strong positions on the front line.