Ukraine's Zelenskyy fires his military chief after protests and names a new one
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy fired Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi as commander-in-chief of Ukraine's armed forces following days of protests demanding his removal. Zelenskyy appointed Mykhailo Drapatyi as the new army chief.
Ukraine’s president has replaced the country’s top military commander after days of public protests calling for the change, according to a monitored public feed from NPR News.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi as commander-in-chief of Ukraine’s armed forces and appointed Mykhailo Drapatyi to take over the role, the feed reported. The move comes after demonstrators pressed for Syrskyi’s removal in recent days, adding public pressure to an already sensitive leadership decision during wartime.
The announcement marks a significant personnel shift in Ukraine’s military leadership. Syrskyi had been serving as the country’s top military commander, while Drapatyi now takes on the responsibility of leading the armed forces. The feed did not provide additional details about the reasons for the change or any immediate reaction from the military leadership.
Zelenskyy’s decision follows a period of protest that specifically targeted Syrskyi, indicating that the issue had become visible beyond military and political circles. The reported appointment of Drapatyi suggests the president is moving quickly to reset the chain of command after the public dispute.
Based on the monitored public feed, NPR News reported the change in Ukraine’s military leadership on July 21, 2026. Novexa News is publishing this summary from that feed with source attribution for readers seeking a concise account of the development.
Source: NPR News - https://www.npr.org/2026/07/21/g-s1-134849/ukraine-military-chief-fired-protests
