Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has dismissed four-star General Oleksandr Syrskyi as commander-in-chief and appointed Major General Mykhailo Drapatyi to replace him, well into the fifth year of Russia's all-out war against Ukraine.
Zelenskyy announced the decision after days of mass protests across the country, triggered by the dismissal of Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov over what he said was an increasingly fiery clash with General Syrskyi.
Zelenskyy said that after numerous consultations with the military command over the past few days, it has been “determined how the structure of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine is to be reorganised.”
Zelenskyy also praised General Syrskyi for his contribution to Ukraine’s defence.
“It is a fact that Oleksandr Syrskyi ensured Ukraine’s success in the defence of Kyiv, in the Kharkiv offensive and in the Kursk operation,” Zelenskyy said.
