Zelenskyy Dismisses Military Chief Syrskii: A Timeline of Wartime Leadership Shakeups in Ukraine and Russia

Both Kyiv and Moscow have cycled through numerous top commanders since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022.

Published On 22 Jul 202622 Jul 2026

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has dismissed his military chief, Oleksandr Syrskii, marking the latest upheaval in the country’s defense leadership. The move follows nearly a week of protests in Kyiv sparked by the removal of Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov.

Below is an examination of the circumstances surrounding Syrskii’s departure, alongside a comprehensive record of high-level military dismissals on both sides of the conflict over the past four years.

Who is Oleksandr Syrskii?

Born in Soviet Russia in July 1965, Syrskii, 60, graduated from a Red Army academy in Moscow. He was deployed to Ukraine in the 1980s, remained there after the Soviet collapse, and graduated from the National Defence University of Ukraine in Kyiv, joining the newly formed Ukrainian armed forces.

In 2014, he commanded Ukrainian troops battling a Moscow-backed insurgency in the eastern Donetsk region. He was appointed commander of Ukraine’s Ground Forces in 2019 and led the defense of Kyiv when Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022. His role in repelling the initial assault earned him the title “Hero of Ukraine,” the nation’s highest honor.

Syrskii is also credited with planning the lightning counteroffensive in the Kharkiv region from July to September 2022, which recaptured the strategic hubs of Kupiansk and Izyum.

Why Was Syrskii Removed?

The dismissal followed six days of demonstrations in the capital triggered by the sacking of Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, widely viewed as crucial to the war effort. Fedorov’s ouster last week ignited public anger; prior to his departure, he had accused Syrskii of obstructing his reform agenda.

Zelenskyy has appointed Mykhailo Drapatyi as the new commander-in-chief.

“I am grateful to Oleksandr Syrskyi and to every one of our warriors for Ukraine’s strong front-line positions,” Zelenskyy wrote on social media. “I am grateful to Mykhailo Drapatyi for holding that same view. 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.”

The president stressed the need to eliminate friction within the military command and resolve persistent issues regarding mobilization and front-line management, describing the appointment as a necessary “reset” of the defense effort.

Other Ukrainian Commanders Dismissed During the War

More than ten Ukrainian generals have been relieved of duty since the invasion began. The most prominent cases include:

• September 2023: Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov was removed amid corruption allegations.
• February 2024: Commander-in-Chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi was dismissed; Syrskii was named his successor.
• June 2024: Joint Forces Commander Yuriy Sodol was replaced by Andrii Hnatov.

Russian Military Leadership Changes

Moscow has also undertaken significant reshuffling of its high command since February 2022. Key dismissals include:

• August 2022: Vice Admiral Igor Osipov, commander of the Black Sea Fleet, was fired months after the fleet’s flagship, the Moskva, was sunk in April 2022.
• July 2023: Major-General Ivan Popov, commander of the 58th Combined Arms Army in southern Ukraine, was dismissed after criticizing battlefield strategy and the welfare of troops.
• August 2023: General Sergey Surovikin, known as “General Armageddon” and commander of Russia’s Aerospace Forces, was removed two months after the Wagner Group mutiny. He had been linked to the mercenary outfit.

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