Zelenskyy Removes Army Chief Syrsky Amid Growing Defence Turmoil

Kyiv – In a move that sent ripples through Ukraine’s defence establishment, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on his Telegram channel on Tuesday, July 21, that Oleksandr Syrsky was being relieved of his duties as commander‑in‑chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

Syrsky, now 60, had held the top military post since 2024 and was widely credited for organising the stubborn defence of Kyiv during the Russian invasion in 2022. Yet, behind the accolades, tensions had been simmering. Just weeks earlier, the popular defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov was dismissed – a decision that sparked heated debate within the government and the military.

Fedorov had publicly accused Syrsky of undermining his reform agenda, claiming the army chief blocked efforts to modernise Ukraine’s forces and even pressured the president to sack him. While the exact details remain murky, many analysts see the two removals as part of a broader power shuffle.

In his brief post, Zelenskyy said the decision was “necessary for the continued effectiveness of our armed forces.” He didn’t elaborate on the reasons, but he quickly named joint forces commander Mykhailo Drapaty as Syrsky’s replacement.

Drapaty, a seasoned officer who has overseen joint operations on the front lines, now steps into a role that will demand both strategic vision and political savvy. Observers note that his appointment may signal a shift toward tighter civil‑military coordination, especially as Kyiv prepares for what could be a long‑term stalemate.

The announcement, reported by AFP and picked up by Channel News Asia, underscores the fragile balance Ukraine must maintain: fighting a relentless war while wrestling with internal reforms and leadership changes.