WEDNESDAY, JULY 22, 2026|No. 8326
War · Ukraine · Leadership

Zelensky sacks top army commander amid protests over defence minister removal

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky dismisses commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrskyi following days of protests over the ouster of Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov.

President Zelensky addresses the nation after dismissing the army commander amid political turmoil.
President Zelensky addresses the nation after dismissing the army commander amid political turmoil.
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Zelensky sacks Ukraine's top army commander after days of protests

7 minutes ago

Jaroslav Lukiv

BBC 'Breaking' graphicBBC

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has sacked the country's commander-in-chief, Oleksandr Syrskyi.

His dismissal comes just days after the removal of popular Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov - a move that triggered street protests across the country.

Initial rumours that the end of Fedorov's tenure was related to a conflict between the two men were soon confirmed.

Fedorov, 35, has been widely praised for energising the ministry and transforming the armed forces, as well as heading a drive against corruption.

Syrskyi, 60, is seen by many in Ukraine as a Soviet-school commander reluctant to implement radical changes in the army.

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Volodymyr Zelensky

War in Ukraine

Russia

Ukraine

Europe

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