Zelenskyy reshuffles Ukraine's top brass amid growing public protests
Ukraine's abrupt military leadership change has sparked indefinite public protests demanding the return of a sacked tech-focused minister, testing domestic stability as Kyiv ramps up strikes on Russia's war economy.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed Ukraine’s commander-in-chief, Oleksandr Syrskyi, on Tuesday and replaced him with special forces commander Mykhailo Drapatyi in a sweeping military overhaul. The move failed to quell public anger, as campaigners immediately demanded the reinstatement of Mykhailo Fedorov, the sacked defence minister.
Fedorov, a 35-year-old moderniser, rejected an offer to become deputy prime minister for technological development. He insists on returning to the defence ministry to execute his reform agenda, though the post is now held by acting minister Yevhenii Khmara. Veteran Dmytro Koziatynsky has called for a Friday rally outside the presidential office to keep pressure on the government.
The standoff presents a political trap for the Ukrainian president. “If he reverses his decision, this would be a big victory for Fedorov. It would be humiliating for the president and reveal him to be weak. But if he doesn’t, the protests will keep going,” a senior army source said.
This internal upheaval comes as Ukraine’s unmanned forces intensify attacks aimed at crippling Russia’s economy. Overnight, drones struck warehouses belonging to Russian online retailer Wildberries in Krasnodar and Nevinnomyssk, sparking large fires. Previous targets have included oil refineries, military depots, and Black Sea tankers, part of a broader campaign to drain Moscow's ability to finance its war against Europe.
Drapatyi’s appointment signals an aggressive new phase for these operations. Following a meeting with top generals, Drapatyi wrote on Facebook that he had been ordered to “intensify offensive operations in all domains.” His mandate includes planning operations behind enemy lines and expanding military technology.
Former president Petro Poroshenko endorsed the new commander. “I know him as a strategically minded, brave, and decisive man. He cherishes people. The Ukrainian people place great hopes in him,” Poroshenko said. However, military figures warned of looming challenges, specifically the expectation that Vladimir Putin will announce a new mobilisation after September elections.
Zelenskyy also appointed Major General Ihor Skybiuk as head of the general staff, replacing Andrii Hnatov. Outgoing commander Syrskyi defended his legacy, noting the creation of the world’s first separate drone branch and the recapture of 700 sq km of territory this year. The Kremlin downplayed the shuffle, with Dmitry Peskov stating it would not alter Moscow’s offensive.
