Syrsky issues reprimands to soldiers who backed Fedorov

Ukrainian Armed Forces servicemembers who publicly expressed support for dismissed Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov are receiving reprimands and facing pressure from their command.

This was reported by Ukrainian outlet Strana.ua.

Battalion commander of “Vovky da Vinci” Serhiy Filimonov stated that he personally received a reprimand from Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrsky. Servicemembers from other units and Ukrainian officials also reported pressure being applied to supporters of the former minister.

Earlier, former Deputy Defense Minister Serhiy Sternenko claimed that Syrsky was urgently recalling from leave servicemembers who had openly supported Fedorov.

In addition, brigade commanders of the Armed Forces were instructed to record video addresses in support of Syrsky, who, according to Western media, has still been unable to convincingly articulate his approach to conducting combat operations.

Against the backdrop of Fedorov’s dismissal, the Verkhovna Rada approved the composition of the new government formed by Prime Minister Serhiy Koretsky — with the exception of the heads of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Defense. Volodymyr Zelensky tasked acting SBU chief Yevhen Khmara with temporarily serving as acting defense minister, and Andriy Sybiha with acting as foreign minister. For permanent appointments, their candidacies must be confirmed by the Verkhovna Rada.