Why a week of protests pushed Zelensky to bring in a younger military chief

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed the country's top military commander, General Oleksandr Syrskyi, on July 21, 2026, following days of widespread protests. The protests erupted after Zelensky had previously removed popular Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov last week.

Fedorov, known for his tech-savvy approach and reform efforts, reportedly clashed with General Syrskyi, who was perceived by some as representing a more traditional military command style. Demonstrators took to the streets across Ukraine, expressing support for Fedorov and demanding Syrskyi's removal.

In response to the public outcry and the ongoing political turmoil, Zelensky appointed Major General Mykhailo Drapatyi as the new Commander-in-Chief. The leadership change aims to address internal divisions within Ukraine's military leadership as the nation continues its conflict with Russia.