Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is under increasing pressure to dismiss Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, as protests have erupted for a second day in Kyiv and other cities. This unrest follows Zelenskyy’s decision to remove Mykhailo Fedorov, a popular 35-year-old tech-savvy defense minister, in a surprising government reshuffle. The protests, which escalated from demands for Fedorov's return to calls for a "total overhaul" of the military command, highlight public dissatisfaction with the military leadership.
The conflict between Fedorov and Syrskyi became public, with Zelenskyy acknowledging a deep rift that prevented them from working together. Fedorov accused the 60-year-old general of obstructing his reform initiatives and stated that Syrskyi had forced Zelenskyy to choose between them. Syrskyi, despite his role in Kyiv's early war defense, has faced criticism for a rigid command style, high troop losses, and an unwillingness to modernize combat, which many Ukrainians view as essential for victory.
In an attempt to quell public outrage, Zelenskyy appointed Yevhenii Khmara as acting defense minister and Ihor Klymenko, a former top cop, to lead the national security and defense council. Protesters, however, continue to chant "Syrskyi away" and "Bring Fedorov back," arguing that Syrskyi's leadership embodies undesirable Soviet-era practices. The removal of Fedorov, admired for his tech-driven approach, has also shocked prominent Ukrainian service members, watchdogs, and international partners.
Sources close to Syrskyi believe he will not be dismissed as long as the objective remains active defense, citing his unparalleled experience for that role. However, Fedorov has reportedly been urging Syrskyi’s removal for some time, even suggesting Chief of the General Staff Andriy Hnatov as a replacement to achieve an "asymmetrical" defeat of Russia with minimal losses. This internal turmoil comes at a critical juncture for Ukraine, exposing a significant rift within its wartime leadership.
