All articles tagged with #syrskyi
President Zelenskiy fired army chief Oleksandr Syrskyi and appointed General Mykhailo Drapatyi as the new commander to overhaul Ukraine’s armed forces, while offering a prominent government role to former defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov as protests erupt; the reshuffle aims to modernize the military and sustain long-range drone strikes, with Yevhen Khmara now in charge of the Defence Ministry.
President Zelenskyy fired Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi and appointed Mykhailo Drapatyi after Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov’s removal provoked rare demonstrations, underscoring a clash between traditional command and a modernization push centered on drone warfare; Zelenskyy framed the move as a pursuit of unity and continued pressure on Russia, while protesters urged Fedorov’s reinstatement and it remains unclear whether he will stay in government.
President Zelensky dismissed army chief Oleksandr Syrskyi after the removal of Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, a move that sparked street protests; Fedorov was praised for reform and anti-corruption efforts, while Syrskyi was seen as reluctant to push rapid changes. Zelensky thanked Syrskyi for defending Kyiv in 2022, and Drapatyi, the now-former Joint Forces commander, is described as a popular, battle-hardened general as the leadership transition proceeds with formal decisions to follow.
Ukraine's leadership crisis deepens after President Zelensky ousted Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, triggering protests and renewed questions about Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi's future; a slate of younger generals—Drapaty, Biletsky, Apostol, Obolensky and Denys Prokopenko—is floated as potential replacements while Syrskyi defends his record and urges focus on real decisions, as Kyiv prepares for possible Russian strikes on energy infrastructure this autumn and aims to enter August with strength.
Ukraine’s president Zelenskyy is weighing a leadership reshuffle after days of protests demanding the reinstatement of fired defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov, putting army commander Oleksandr Syrskyi under pressure despite denials; meetings with potential replacements are underway as protesters threaten further action.
Ukraine faces protests from troops after President Zelensky removes defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov, a reformer who pushed drone-enabled modernization; while some praise his work, others blame the traditional military leadership, notably Gen. Syrskyi, for blocking change, raising concerns the shake-up could slow crucial modernization amid ongoing war.
President Zelenskyy defended the dismissal of defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov after a breakdown in dialogue with the military’s top brass and appointed acting security chief Yevhenii Khmara as defence minister. Fedorov criticized the general staff for blocking reforms, thousands protested in Kyiv, and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Kyiv visit underscored international concern while Ukraine presses its war effort and reform agenda.
Protests erupted in Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities after President Zelenskiy abruptly dismissed Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, a reformer behind drones and digital modernization; Zelenskiy cited systemic tensions with the General Staff and said mediation was needed, with Parliament set to vote on a replacement—though no official candidate had been submitted. Fedorov declined to stay on as adviser, while protesters urged Zelenskiy and the military to preserve his reform momentum.
Ukraine says it net gained about 100 square kilometers in May, boosting 2026 gains to over 600 sq km as heavy fighting continues in Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia sectors. Kyiv reports extensive strikes on Russian targets and infrastructure, and its navy aided civilian shipping; analysts caution momentum remains mixed, with the second half of the year potentially decisive.
Ukrainian forces have taken the initiative across multiple fronts, claiming more than 400 square kilometers liberated in southern Ukraine since winter 2025–26, including most of Kupiansk and several settlements in western Zaporizhzhia. Kyiv has expanded a mid-range strike and drone campaign as Russian casualties and manpower recruitment lag, with Syrskyi saying Ukrainian offensive actions now outpace Russian ones as Moscow weighs southern defenses and the Fortress Belt.
Ukraine claims its strikes have caused about $25.5 billion in direct and indirect losses to Russia’s war effort, with drone units inflicting higher casualties while Moscow struggles to replenish through mobilization. Syrskyi noted ongoing Russian offensives and stressed air defense as a top priority, while highlighting EU training that has prepared over 90,000 Ukrainian troops during a visit by NATO and EU officials.
Ukraine’s commander‑in‑chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said the Pokrovsk and Ocheretyne fronts are hard‑fought with about 400 combat clashes in the past week as Russian forces press and bring up reserves. Kyiv aims to inflict heavy losses, destroy Russian reserves, and reduce offensive potential while expanding unmanned systems and drones. Defense Minister Fedorov has set a goal to kill 50,000 Russians per month as Zelensky seeks to force Moscow to halt its invasion; fighting also continues along the Zaporizhzhia direction.
Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi has dismissed two corps commanders following recent battlefield losses, amid ongoing efforts to reform the Ukrainian army into a more effective corps-based structure to improve coordination and operational control in the war against Russia.