# Ukraine’s Zelenskyy fires his military chief after protests and names a new one

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/ukraines-zelenskyy-fires-his-military-chief-after-protests-and-names-a-new-one/
- Published: 2026-07-21T21:30:02+00:00
- Updated: 2026-07-29T01:47:57+00:00
- Original publisher: NPR (publisher lean: Left)
- Original article: https://www.npr.org/2026/07/21/g-s1-134849/ukraine-military-chief-fired-protests
- Topics: Europe, Government, Politics, World

## Key points

- Zelenskyy fires commander Syrskyi after protests over reform disputes
- Maj. Gen. Mykhailo Drapatyi named new Ukrainian army chief
- Sacking follows ousted Defence Minister Fedorov's removal on 16 July

## Summary

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has dismissed his military commander-in-chief, General Oleksandr Syrskyi, following days of public protest, and appointed Major General Mykhailo Drapatyi, a younger officer known for his role since 2014, as the new army chief. The shake-up follows the abrupt dismissal of Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov on 16 July, which triggered demonstrations in Kyiv and other cities, with protesters demanding Fedorov's reinstatement and Syrskyi's removal. The dispute reflects a wider tension within Ukraine's military establishment between Fedorov, a 35-year-old tech entrepreneur credited with advancing Ukraine's drone programme, and Syrskyi, a 60-year-old Soviet-trained veteran accused by Fedorov of obstructing reform efforts.

The leadership reshuffle was confirmed late on Tuesday, 22 July. Syrskyi had claimed Ukrainian forces reclaimed 743 square kilometres of territory so far this year, a record he cited in defence of his tenure, but he had increasingly been portrayed as representing the military's "old guard" resistant to modernisation. Zelenskyy has offered Fedorov an alternative government role overseeing the technology sector. The changes come as Russian forces continue heavy strikes, including an overnight barrage of four missiles and 216 drones reported around the time of the announcement.

---
Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.