On Tuesday, July 21st, 2026, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the removal of Oleksandr Syrskyi from his position as the army's commander-in-chief. Zelenskyy named Mykhailo Drapatyi as the new Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to Syrskyi and all Ukrainian warriors for maintaining strong front-line positions. He acknowledged Syrskyi's role in Ukraine's military successes, stating, "It is a fact that Oleksandr Syrskyi ensured Ukraine's successes in the defense of Kyiv, in the Kharkiv offensive operation, and in the Kursk operation."

The decision follows mass protests in Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities demanding Syrskyi's removal. These protests came amid political turmoil after Zelenskyy's dismissal of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, who publicly revealed conflicts with Syrskyi.

Syrskyi, aged 60, was born in Russia and trained in Moscow during the Soviet era. Zelenskyy emphasized the shared goal of achieving victory over the enemy and pressuring Russia toward peace, stating, "Our shared wish is one — victory over the enemy and conditions at the front and in pressure on Russia that would force Russia toward peace."

He also highlighted the ongoing defense efforts and the need for dignified treatment of every warrior. This leadership change caps a turbulent week in Ukrainian politics marked by one of the largest protests since Russia's full-scale invasion began in 2022.

Sources