Zelenskyy appoints new commander‑in‑chief of Ukraine’s armed forces amid mounting protests

Syrskyi’s ouster followed a dispute with former Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, whose removal sparked six days of protests in Kyiv.

Published On 21 Jul 202621 Jul 2026

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed Oleksandr Syrskyi as commander‑in‑chief and appointed Mykhailo Drapatyi to replace him. The decision followed six days of demonstrations in Kyiv triggered by the earlier removal of Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, who had clashed with Syrskyi.

Zelenskyy thanked Oleksandr Syrskyi and all Ukrainian fighters for maintaining strong front‑line positions, and expressed gratitude to Mykhailo Drapatyi for his stance.

He reiterated that Ukraine’s sole objective is victory over Russia, urging pressure on Moscow to compel a peace settlement. Zelenskyy stressed the importance of reducing friction among senior military leaders and solving ongoing challenges in mobilisation and frontline command.

Fedorov, regarded as a vital figure in the campaign against Russia, was dismissed last week, igniting nationwide protests.

Protesters in Kyiv and several other cities demanded accountability and a more effective military approach, criticizing Syrskyi’s conduct amid mounting Ukrainian casualties.

Danielle Bell, head of the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, reported to Geneva that, between January and June 2026, the mission verified 1,396 civilian deaths and 7,978 injuries.

This represents a 37 % rise compared with the same period last year and nearly double the figures recorded for 2024, she added.

Both Moscow and Kyiv have escalated air strikes on each other’s critical infrastructure, while stalled U.S.-led negotiations to end Russia’s invasion have shifted American attention to its conflict with Iran.

Russia continues to employ ballistic missiles, and Kyiv now faces a shortage of Patriot interceptor missiles, essential for defending against such strikes.

In response, Ukraine has stepped up its attacks on Russian soil, focusing on oil depots. Drone strikes on Saturday killed at least eight warehouse workers and injured many others, and a separate attack sparked a fire at an oil depot near Moscow.

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