Zelensky fires head of Ukraine military - The Hill

What the report says

The Hill reported that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi as commander-in-chief of Ukraine’s armed forces on Tuesday, following public demonstrations in multiple Ukrainian cities calling for changes at the top of the military. The report said protesters viewed Syrskyi as a symbol of outdated command practices and had pressed for both his removal and the return of former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov.

According to The Hill, Zelensky announced on X that he and his team had decided on changes to the structure of the General Staff. Syrskyi was replaced by Mykhailo Drapatyi, described in the report as a former defense minister who gained prominence in fighting Russian forces over the past decade. Protesters were said to favor Drapatyi because of his association with military modernization and greater use of technology.

The Hill also reported that Fedorov, described as a key figure in Ukraine’s wartime defense technology efforts, had been removed earlier in the week, a move that helped trigger protests in Kyiv. The article said his dismissal was reportedly linked to disputes with other senior military figures over restructuring the armed forces. Zelensky has reportedly offered Fedorov another role, though some protesters continue to question why he has not been reinstated.

The leadership shake-up matters because Ukraine’s military command remains central to the country’s war effort against Russia, and public pressure over strategy, technology and institutional reform appears to be shaping high-level decisions in Kyiv. The Hill’s account indicates the changes are being framed by supporters as a chance to modernize Ukraine’s defense leadership.