New Delhi: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy Tuesday fired his top general, Oleksandr Syrskyi, amid growing protests following the dismissal of Mykhailo Fedorov as defence minister last week.
Zelenskyy’s dismissal of Fedorov was seen as a sign of his continued support for General Oleksandr Syrskyi. But Syrskyi’s removal marks a reversal by Zelenskyy, who originally sided with the general over his then defence minister. Reports indicate that Syrskyi and Fedorov had a strained relationship.Fedorov’s removal proved to be highly unpopular, with protests breaking out around the country. The swelling protests have fuelled fears of fractures in the country’s political unity after nearly five years of war with Russia.
The Ukrainian President announced that Major General Mykhailo Drapatyi will take over as the new commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.The choice is likely to be viewed positively by the protesters as Drapatyi supported Fedorov over Syrskyi during their feud.“I have decided that Mykhailo Drapatyi will become the new Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Together with Mykhailo, Yevhenii Khmara, and Pavlo Palisa, we determined how the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine should be reconfigured,” Zelenskyy said in a statement on the social media platform X.He added: “It is a fact that Oleksandr Syrskyi delivered results for Ukraine in the defense of Kyiv, the Kharkiv offensive, and the Kursk operation. We have come a long way, Ukraine’s defense continues, and every warrior must be treated with dignity.”Generational split
