MOSCOW, July 23. /TASS/. Vladimir Zelensky continues Ukraine's leadership overhaul by axing the army chief, and US President Donald Trump signs a 30-year nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, London gives the United States access to its military bases for strikes on Iran. These stories topped Thursday's newspaper headlines across Russia.
Izvestia: Zelensky dismisses Ukraine’s commander-in-chief Syrsky
The ground under Ukraine became a little less stable this week as Vladimir Zelensky announced a move to dismiss loyal disciple Alexander Syrsky, commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian armed forces, thus giving in to demands from street protests instigated by pro-Western activists. Zelensky’s control of the army is now in question, experts say.
Major General Mikhail Drapaty, 43, former commander of the Joint Forces Command of Ukraine’s army, will be the country’s new commander-in-chief. He has been in the military service since 2004 and took part in hostilities in Donbass in 2014. Drapaty supported fired Defense Minister Mikhail Fyodorov, who had clashed with Syrsky.
The move came amid a political crisis in Ukraine. A little more than a week ago, Zelensky dismissed Prime Minister Yulia Sviridenko, replacing her with former Naftogaz CEO Sergey Koretsky.
