Shake-up in the Ukrainian army. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday dismissed the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, Oleksandr Syrskyi, and has appointed General Mykhailo Drapatyi, who until now was in charge of leading the Joint Forces, in his place.
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With this move, Zelenskyy seeks to end the serious political crisis he himself provoked a week ago by dismissing the Minister of Defense, Mykhailo Fedorov, considered the architect of the country’s recent military successes. That decision, completely incomprehensible at a time when Ukraine seems to have taken the initiative in the war, triggered a wave of general indignation that has resulted in continuous protests in the country’s main cities.
The demonstrators who have taken to the streets these days demand the return of Fedorov and the dismissal of Syrskyi, accused of blocking the reforms promoted by the minister and of motivating his downfall. In an attempt to appease tempers, Zelenskyy initially tried to convince Fedorov to accept an advisory position, but the former minister flatly refused. Thus, and to prevent the anger from escalating, the president has ended up opting to sacrifice Syrskyi, one of his most loyal collaborators.
Zelenskyy publicly thanked the general yesterday for his services and highlighted his role in some of the most important military operations of recent years, such as the defense of Kyiv, the Kharkiv counteroffensive, and the incursion into Kursk. “Much has been achieved. The defense of Ukraine continues, and every soldier deserves dignified treatment. I thank Oleksandr Syrskyi and all our soldiers for Ukraine’s strong position on the front,” the president emphasized in a message disseminated through his social networks.
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To replace Syrskyi, Zelenskyy has chosen a young military officer, but with ample experience in the current war against Russia. At 42 years old, Mykhailo Drapatyi played a prominent role in the defense of Kryvyi Rih, also helped organize the liberation of Kherson, and led the response to the Russian offensive on Kharkiv.
“I will work with responsibility, with dedication, and with respect for the people who defend our state today,” said the brand new commander-in-chief after taking office.
His appointment has already been applauded by Fedorov, who has called it “new air” and “new hope” for the country. Nothing strange considering that Drapatyi publicly supported the former minister’s reform agenda after his dismissal.
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