‼️Zelenskyy removes Oleksandr Syrskyi as Commander-in-Chief, appoints Mykhailo Drapatyi, after a week of protests

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After a weeks of public protests demanding reinstatement of the dismissed defense minister Fedorov and removal of the chief commander General Syrskyi—and several days of consultations with top generals of Ukraine’s defense forces, Zelenskyy made the decision to replace commander Syrskyi with General Mykhailo Drapatyi [see Wikipedia].

Drapatyi’s appointnent as the Commander-in-Chief was another request often voiced by the protestors.

43-year-old General Drapatyi was previously the Commander of the Joint Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (since 3 June 2025). Before that position, he was the commander of the Ukrainian Ground Forces (2024—2025). Drapaty was the hero of fighting for Mariupol back in 2014—when the Russians initially invaded the city, but had been pushed out by the Ukrainian forces. It was under his command a battalion of the 72nd Brigade rammed through barricades in Mariupol on May 9, 2014. Drapatyi rose through ranks from the battalion commander to a general during the Russia-Ukraine war.

General Oleksandr Syrskyi, who was replaced yesterday, was leading Ukraine’s defense forces since February 2024, when Zelenskyy removed the popular commander general Valery Zaluzhnyi, who is now Ukraine’s ambassador in the UK.

Drapatyi has the reputation of an effective battlefield commander, who is also keen on modern technology such as drones.

It was also Fedorov’s emphasis on drones, in his position as the minister of defense, that got him admiration in Ukraine.

Fedorov’s dismissal sparked not only the public protests but also put emphasis on constructive discussion about the future: How will the Ukrainian military develop?

Fedorov advocated faster transformation into an army centered around the use of unmanned systems, AI, constant innovation, and fast decision-making, which would have to replace the traditional structures of command, procurement, and the use of manpower. Fundamentally, it’s about a new military doctrine: vertical of command vs. initiative at the edges.

The new leader will likely initiate an overhaul of the General Staff.

Zelensky stated he offered a new job in the national security to former defense minister Fedorov—but there is no confirmation in which role Fedorov will stay in the team, if any.

Zelenskyy once again demonstrated that as a leader, he listens to the people—and that Ukraine remains a democracy even in the wartime.

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