KYIV—Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi on Wednesday and appointed Mykhailo Drapatyi to lead the armed forces after days of protests demanding changes to the country's military leadership, the presidency said.
Zelensky announced the appointment in a public statement, praising Syrskyi for his service during Russia's full-scale invasion while saying Ukraine's armed forces required renewed leadership as the war continued.
The leadership change follows demonstrations in Kyiv and other cities that intensified after the recent dismissal of Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. Protesters had called for broader military reforms and demanded Syrskyi's removal, arguing that the armed forces needed a more modern command structure.
Drapatyi, who previously served as a senior field commander, said after his appointment that he would focus on responsible leadership and military reform. Zelensky said the armed forces must continue improving operational effectiveness, procurement and air defence capabilities while maintaining the country's defence against Russia's invasion.
Syrskyi, who became commander-in-chief in 2024, oversaw Ukrainian military operations during a critical phase of the war and had previously played leading roles in the defence of Kyiv and other campaigns, according to Ukrainian officials.
The presidency has not announced any further changes to the military command. It remains unclear whether additional government appointments linked to the recent political reshuffle will follow. Ukrainian authorities have not indicated that the protests have ended, and the situation remains subject to further developments.
