The Verkhovna Rada prepares a request to Zelensky on Syrsky’s dismissal

The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine may send President Volodymyr Zelensky an official request for the dismissal of Armed Forces of Ukraine Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrsky.

This was reported by Ukrainian parliament member Yaroslav Zheleznyak on his Telegram channel.

According to Zheleznyak, he and his colleagues intend to propose that the head of state “consider the question of appointing a new commander-in-chief of the armed forces of Ukraine based on criteria of professional effectiveness and a focus on measurable technological results.” The deputy specified that for such a request to be submitted, it must be signed by no fewer than 226 parliamentarians.

The initiative emerged against the backdrop of large-scale protests that swept through Kyiv and other major Ukrainian cities. Rallies were held on two consecutive days — participants demanded that Syrsky be dismissed and expressed support for former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, whose removal from office the commander-in-chief had pushed for. Citizens also used the paid gifts feature on Telegram to express their discontent over Fedorov’s dismissal.

The Financial Times, citing sources, reported that Zelensky is considering the possibility of dismissing Syrsky. According to the outlet, the trigger was precisely the large-scale protests against his decision to fire Fedorov, who had been in conflict with the commander-in-chief.