Zelenskyy replaces Ukraine’s top commander amid protest pressure

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has dismissed Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi as commander-in-chief of the armed forces, the Associated Press reported Tuesday. The move followed several days of large demonstrations in Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities calling for Syrskyi’s removal.

Zelenskyy named Mykhailo Drapatyi as the new army chief in a social media statement, according to AP. The change places new leadership at the top of Ukraine’s military while the country remains at war with Russia and as public anger over defense leadership has spilled into the streets.

In his statement, Zelenskyy said the goal remained unified around defeating Russia and increasing pressure for an end to the war. “Our shared wish is one — victory over the enemy and conditions at the front and in pressure on Russia that would force Russia toward peace,” he said, according to AP.

Protests targeted Syrskyi and backed Fedorov

The demonstrations began after Zelenskyy dismissed former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, AP reported. Protesters sought Fedorov’s return, viewing him as a figure associated with modernizing Ukraine’s military.

Demonstrators also demanded that Syrskyi be removed, AP reported. They portrayed him as a symbol of an older command system with Soviet roots, a criticism directed at the armed forces’ leadership culture.

An AP photograph from Kyiv on Saturday showed activists holding a portrait of Syrskyi while calling for his resignation during a rally over Zelenskyy’s decision to remove Fedorov after six months in the defense post.

Zelenskyy cites meetings with commanders

Zelenskyy said his decision came after a series of meetings with military commanders, AP reported. Those talks started soon after the protests broke out.

The president thanked Syrskyi for his role in Ukraine’s fight against Russia. Zelenskyy credited him for the defense of Kyiv and for operations in Kharkiv and Kursk, according to AP.

“I am grateful to Oleksandr Syrskyi and to every one of our warriors for Ukraine's strong front-line positions,” Zelenskyy said, according to AP. “I am grateful to Mykhailo Drapatyi for holding that same view.”

Zelenskyy also met separately Tuesday with Fedorov, AP reported. The president offered him what he described as a respected government role intended to bring together Ukraine’s technology sector.

AP reported that it was not clear whether Fedorov had accepted the offer. It also remained unclear whether the leadership changes would answer protesters’ demands or quiet the demonstrations.

This story draws on original reporting from NPR.