Volodymyr Zelenskyy may appoint a new commander in chief as Oleksandr Syrskyi faces potential dismissal following public pressure.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to replace Oleksandr Syrskyi as Ukraine’s commander in chief following a week of public protests in Kyiv. Demonstrators have demanded the reinstatement of Mykhailo Fedorov, the former defense minister who was dismissed after a public conflict with Syrskyi. While the general staff has not officially confirmed the move, Kyrylo Budanov, Zelenskyy’s chief of staff, indicated that the government is responding to the popular mood. Syrskyi expressed surprise at the conflict, offering a personal apology while emphasizing the need to focus on the global goal of victory rather than internal disputes. To find a successor, Zelenskyy has held meetings with several senior commanders, including Mykhailo Drapatiy. The administration seeks a popular, experienced military leader who can execute the president's vision without creating a new political rival. If Fedorov is not reinstated by Friday, protest organizers have threatened a general indefinite protest across the country.