Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy officially relieved…
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy officially relieved Alexander Syris of his post as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and appointed Mykola Drapatko to that position. Alexander Syris has been removed from his post as Commander-in-Chief of Ukraine's Armed Forces.
Consensus
- Alexander Syrskyi was officially dismissed as commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine by President Vladimir Zelensky on July 21, 2025.
- Mikhail Drapatiy was appointed as the new commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
- The dismissal followed a conflict between Syrskyi and former Minister of Defense Mykhailo Fedorov.
- Fedorov resigned on July 15, 2024, amid public disputes with Syrskyi.
- Protests demanding Fedorov's reinstatement and Syrskyi’s removal took place in Kyiv, Lviv, Odessa, and other cities.
- Eugene Khmara was appointed to act as interim Minister of Defense after Fedorov's resignation.
- Zelensky announced the appointment during a public statement on July 21.
Points of divergence
- The dismissal was motivated by Zelensky’s concern over his own 'authority' after Fedorov's resignation, according to Associated Press. — m24
- Drapatiy is accused of allowing a strike on a training range in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast in spring 2025, resulting in up to 150 Ukrainian military deaths including 30 foreign instructors. — m24
- Drapatiy faced criticism for kneeling before the British ambassador during a ceremony in 2021. — m24
- Some high-ranking military officers opposed Drapatiy, claiming they considered themselves more effective than him and that Zelensky does not intend to fully transfer control to Drapatiy. — m24
- Drapatiy is described as a commander of a new generation who supports bottom-up initiatives and protects soldiers, in contrast to Syrskyi. — meduza
- The conflict between Fedorov and Syrskyi reflects a clash between reformist ministers and the old general corps resistant to change. — novaya_eu
- Syrskyi apologized to Fedorov on July 20, stating he was unaware of their conflict. — fontanka
Coverage (20 sources)
- Political scientist Makarkin: Syrs' resignation weakens Zelenskyy's position — Москва 24
- Zelenskyy officially removed Ukrainian Armed Forces chief Alexander Syris and appointed Mikhail Drapato — ТАСС (Telegram)
- Zelenskyy officially fired Syris from the post of Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine — Ведомости
- The new commander of the Ukrainian Armed Forces will find it very difficult. But he will never be ashamed again: What Ukraine, Russia and the West are saying about replacing Syrsky with Drapaty — Meduza
- Mikhail Drapaty appointed new commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine; Alexander Syrisk dismissed — Meduza
- Zelenskyy fires head of Ukrainian Armed Forces Syris — Новая газета Европа
- Zelenskyy fires Ukrainian Armed Forces commander Alexander Syris — Дождь
- Ukrainian Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Alexander Syrisk Removed from Office — Baza
- Aleksey Syrishev dismissed from post as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine — Meduza
- Alexander Syrishev dismissed from the post of Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine — Фонтанка
- Zelenskyy fires Ukrainian Armed Forces commander Alexander Syris — Дождь (Telegram)
- Syrsky leaves post of Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces of Ukraine; Mikhail Drapaty to take over — Varlamov News
- Alesandra Syrsko removed from post as head of Armed Forces of Ukraine; General Major Mikhail Drapaty to replace him — order signed by Zelensky — Mash
- Zelenskyy fired Syris from the post of Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine — Коммерсантъ
- Ukraine again announces the dismissal of Syrs — Ведомости
- Ukrainian journalist reports that the dismissal of Ukrainian Armed Forces chief Syrskyi is postponed — Вести
- Ukrainian General Staff refutes rumors of Syris's dismissal as chief of staff — Вечерняя Москва
- Ukrainian General Staff refutes reports on the dismissal of Chief of Staff Syrsok — Ведомости
- Ukrainian General Alexander Syris Should Be Resigned Today, Says Ukrainian Journalist Hagola Citing Sources — ТАСС (Telegram)
- Syrsky, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, may be dismissed on July 20 — Ведомости
Key entities
- Alexander Syrsky
- Ukrainian Armed Forces
- Ukraine
- Volodymyr Zelenskyy
- Mikhail Drapatyi
- Armed Forces
- Kyiv
- TASS
- General Staff
- General Staff
- Syrsky
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