Zelenskyy Ousts Syrskyi, Appoints Drapatyi Amidst Grassroots Protests and Demands for Accountability
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President Zelenskyy has replaced the army chief Syrskyi with Drapatyi and responded to mass protests by offering former defence minister Fedorov a senior role, as Ukrainians call for democratic reforms and an end to militarist policies.
In a move reflecting mounting public pressure and grassroots mobilization, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has reshuffled Ukraine’s military leadership, removing commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrskyi and appointing Major General Mykhailo Drapatyi, a figure seen as more attuned to the demands for transparency and reform. Drapatyi is expected to lead a reorganisation of the army’s command structure and continue the controversial policy of long-range drone strikes into Russia, a tactic that has drawn criticism for escalating the conflict and risking civilian lives on both sides.
The president’s announcement comes in the wake of widespread protests in Kyiv and other cities, where ordinary Ukrainians took to the streets after the dismissal of former defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov. Demonstrators demanded Fedorov’s reinstatement, viewing his ouster as a setback for accountability and civilian oversight of the military. Bowing to public pressure, Zelenskyy has now offered Fedorov a 'prominent position' in the government, though the lack of transparency about this role raises questions about genuine reform.
'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, attempting to placate critics by praising Syrskyi’s role in defending Kyiv and the summer counter-offensive, despite widespread dissatisfaction with the war’s direction.
Fedorov, a reformist voice, welcomed Drapatyi’s appointment, calling it a 'breath of fresh air and new hope' for Ukraine’s struggle. He stressed the urgent need for a clear vision to end the war, modernise the frontline, and weaken the Russian economy, echoing the demands of protesters for peace and social justice.
Drapatyi, known for his battlefield experience and popularity among the rank-and-file, previously led Ukraine’s joint forces group and became a symbol of resistance in Mariupul. Analysts highlight his collaborative relationship with Fedorov and his push for modernising military technology and data systems, which clashed with Syrskyi’s outdated, hierarchical approach.
Zelenskyy has tasked the new commander-in-chief with updating defence strategy, reforming the armed forces’ structure, and addressing the deepening crisis of mobilisation as the war drags into its fifth year. The former defence minister’s post has been handed to Yevhen Khmara, a former special-operations commander, raising concerns about the continued militarisation of government at the expense of democratic oversight.