Ukraine Reshuffles Military Command After Public Outcry, Citing War ‘Reset’
Kyiv, Ukraine – President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has removed Ukraine’s top military commander, Oleksandr Syrskyi, appointing Mykhailo Drapatyi in his place. This significant change follows six days of public protests across the capital, Kyiv, and aims to “reset” the nation’s war effort against Russia.
The protests began after Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov was dismissed last week. Fedorov had openly criticized General Syrskyi, accusing him of blocking essential reforms and sabotaging efforts to use more technology and drones in the conflict. He believed Syrskyi, seen as a traditionalist, needed to be replaced for Ukraine to succeed.
President Zelenskyy stated on Tuesday that the decision was made to address friction within military leadership. He also highlighted the need to resolve ongoing issues with troop mobilisation and frontline management. Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to Syrskyi and all Ukrainian soldiers, while acknowledging Drapatyi’s shared vision for victory.
Before his dismissal, Defence Minister Fedorov was considered crucial to Ukraine’s war efforts. Zelenskyy has since offered Fedorov a “respected position” in the government, aiming to unify the country’s technology sector. It remains unclear if Fedorov has accepted this new role.
The leadership changes come as Ukraine faces a difficult period in the conflict. The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine reported a stark increase in civilian casualties. In the first six months of 2026, 1,396 civilians were killed and 7,978 wounded. This represents a 37 percent rise compared to the same period last year, nearly doubling the numbers from 2024.
Both Russia and Ukraine have escalated air strikes in recent months, targeting vital infrastructure. Ukraine faces a shortage of crucial Patriot interceptor munitions needed to defend against Russian ballistic missile attacks. In response, Ukraine has intensified its own drone attacks on Russian territory, primarily targeting oil depots.
The new military chief, Mykhailo Drapatyi, is known as a disciplined and effective officer. He earned praise for stopping Russian advances in eastern Ukraine in 2014. In 2024, Drapatyi commanded forces that halted Russia’s movement on Kryvyi Rih and pushed back troops from parts of the Kherson region. He later organized the defense that blunted a renewed Russian offensive in the Kharkiv region. Drapatyi had previously served as ground forces commander before resigning in 2025 after a Russian strike on a training center killed Ukrainian troops.
