Zelenskyy replaces army chief Syrskyi with Drapatyi and offers former defence minister Fedorov a senior role
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, naming Major General Mykhailo Drapatyi as his successor, and announced that former defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov will return to a prominent government post.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced a reshuffle of Ukraine’s top military leadership, removing commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrskyi and appointing Major General Mykhailo Drapatyi as the new head of the armed forces. Zelenskyy said Drapatyi would oversee a reorganisation of the army’s command structure and continue long-range drone strikes against targets in Russia.
The president also said he had offered former defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov a "prominent position" within the government, though details of the role were not disclosed. The move follows large-scale protests in Kyiv and other cities after Fedorov’s dismissal last week, with demonstrators demanding his reinstatement.
"We have come a long way. The defence of Ukraine continues. And every soldier deserves to be treated with respect," Zelenskyy said in a televised address, praising Syrskyi’s role in defending Kyiv and the summer counter-offensive.
Fedorov welcomed Drapatyi’s appointment, describing it as a "breath of fresh air and new hope" for Ukraine’s struggle and emphasizing the need for a clear vision to end the war, modernise the frontline and weaken the Russian economy.
Drapatyi, known for his battlefield experience and public popularity, previously commanded Ukraine’s joint forces group and gained national attention for actions in Mariupul. Analysts note his close working relationship with Fedorov and his focus on modernising the military’s technology and data systems, which had previously clashed with Syrskyi’s traditional approach.
Zelenskyy said the new commander-in-chief would be tasked with updating defence strategy, reforming the armed forces’ structure and addressing mobilisation challenges as the war enters its fifth year. The former defence minister’s former post has been filled by Yevhen Khmara, a former special-operations commander.