Overview
- President Volodymyr Zelensky removed commander-in-chief Oleksandre Syrsky and named Mykhailo Drapaty as his replacement on Tuesday, July 21.
- The shake-up followed the July 14 dismissal of reformist defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov, which triggered nightly protests in Kyiv demanding Fedorov’s return and Syrsky’s ouster.
- Protesters included soldiers on leave, veterans and wounded fighters who accused Syrsky of blocking modernization efforts and tolerating high casualties.
- Fedorov has been offered an alternative government post to oversee state technology work but has not been formally reinstated as defence minister.
- The change aims to bridge reform demands and frontline needs, yet analysts warn the move leaves risks to wartime unity, recruitment and operational cohesion that should be monitored next.