Zelensky considers dismissing Syrsky amid protests in Kyiv

Volodymyr Zelensky is seriously considering replacing Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrsky.

This was reported by the Financial Times, citing an unnamed senior official in the President’s Office.

According to the newspaper, Ukraine is experiencing the largest military personnel crisis of Zelensky’s presidency. This weekend he is gathering military commanders to hear their assessments of the situation before making a decision on changing the leadership of the armed forces.

The crisis

The unrest was triggered by Zelensky’s July 16 decision to dismiss Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov — a 35-year-old former minister of digital transformation who had been credited with developing Ukraine’s drone capabilities during his six months in office.

In response, Fedorov publicly accused Syrsky of obstructing military reforms, blocking ministry initiatives, and “splitting the country.”

On July 16, hundreds of protesters gathered in central Kyiv, initially demanding Fedorov’s reinstatement. On the second day, the demonstrations expanded into broader calls for Syrsky’s resignation: according to Reuters, participants in the Kyiv rally on July 17 openly demanded the removal of the commander-in-chief. The protests represented a rare display of public dissent in a country at war.

A deepening rift

The conflict between Fedorov and Syrsky had been smoldering for several months. On July 16, Fedorov acknowledged that he had previously urged Zelensky to replace Syrsky, arguing that Ukraine needed new military leadership capable of “defeating the enemy asymmetrically.” Zelensky had long resisted such calls — as recently as January 2026 he told journalists that replacing the commander-in-chief was “not on the agenda.”

According to The Irish Times, both Fedorov and Syrsky had asked Zelensky to fire each other, but Zelensky rejected each such demand — until the general reportedly issued him an ultimatum, and he ultimately relented, siding against Fedorov.

A sweeping reshuffle

The defense minister’s dismissal was part of a broad government reorganization. On July 16, the Ukrainian parliament confirmed Naftogaz chief Serhiy Koretsky as the new prime minister, replacing Yulia Svyrydenko. Zelensky appointed Major General Yevhen Khmara, acting head of the SBU, as acting defense minister, and on July 17 placed former interior minister Ihor Klymenko at the head of the National Security and Defense Council.

Whether Zelensky will ultimately decide to replace Syrsky hinges on finding a commander capable of ensuring a seamless transfer of control along the front line during an ongoing war — a consideration that has historically shielded military leaders from sudden removal.