Zelensky dismisses Ukraine Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi

newsJul 21, 2026422,208

President Volodymyr Zelensky on July 21 dismissed Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi and appointed Major General Mykhailo Drapatyi, the commander of Ukraine's Joint Forces, as his replacement. Zelensky made the announcement on Telegram and thanked Syrskyi and Ukraine's troops for maintaining strong front-line positions. Syrskyi, 60, had served as commander-in-chief since 2024 and was one of Kyiv's most experienced commanders, credited with helping lead the defence of Kyiv after Russia's 2022 full-scale invasion. The dismissal followed days of nationwide protests after Zelensky removed popular defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov, who accused Syrskyi of blocking reforms; Fedorov called Drapatyi a "breath of fresh air" and a new hope. France 24 and other reports say Drapatyi is an ally of the ousted defence minister and was the candidate protesters demanded. Zelensky also said he offered Fedorov a role overseeing the state's technological component.

NOELREPORTS

@noelreports.com

❗️❗️❗️PPresident Zelensky named Mykhailo Drapatyi as Ukraine's next Commander-in-Chief and said the General Staff will be reconfigured. He thanked Oleksandr Syrskyi for his role in defending Kyiv and operations in Kharkiv and Kursk. The decisions will be formalized tomorrow. #Ukraine

2673h ago

egbaka.bsky.social9

From what I've heard from UA YouTubers like Denys Davydov, Drapatyi is a very competent commander.

algolingo.bsky.social1

Then Federov will be back ?

Quoting this

Hartmut Zimmer2

Präsident Selenskij ernennt Mykhailo #Drapatyi*) zum Nachfolger von Oleksandr Syrsky als #Armeechef. *) bisher Kommandeur der Gemeinsamen Streitkräfte . (Koordination größerer gemeinsamer Operationen verschiedener Teilstreitkräfte). Zuvor Kommandeur der ukr Landstreitkräfte.

(((Tendar)))

@tendar.bsky.social

Major General Mykhailo Drapatyi will replace General Oleksandr Syrskyi as Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

2563h ago

Marco7

That's a good choice I think yes?

Ben McLeish3

Cool, can they put Fedorov back now?

Quoting this

Elfes8

До речі, він з поділлячка. А ще Вікіпедія вже оновила інформацію 😁

The Kyiv Independent

@kyivindependent.com

⚡️Zelensky appoints Drapatyi as new Commander-in-Chief in place of Syrskyi. Mykhailo Drapatyi, 44, has earned a reputation as one of Ukraine's most respected senior commanders and was widely viewed by protesters, soldiers, and veterans as the leading candidate to replace Oleksandr Syrskyi.

1742h ago

thebiguke.bsky.social1

Yeehaw 🤠 now he can clean house and promote the reformers and untainted officers

Quoting this

Benjamin Husstad-Nedberg7

1/3🧵 #Ukraine #Russia This is big and important news. Drapatyi - only 43 years old - represents the "new generation" of Ukrainian officers, and his election as commander-in-chief will likely reinforce the Ukrainian forces' journey from a Soviet army to a modern, Western-oriented fighting force.

🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦

@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social

🔥 BREAKING: President Zelensky officially confirmed: Mykhailo Drapatyi will become the new Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, replacing Oleksandr Syrskyi. The decisions are expected to be formalized tomorrow.

2103h ago

cyberbeepstrongest.bsky.social5

According to Anna, he is a very good choice. What i find so fantastic, is that we see Ukraine as a functioning democracy. There was an isue, a decision was made. People disagreed massively. So a New decision was made. And let the foreign press eat their words. 🇳🇱❤️🇺🇦

Rob B4

Is that good, or a like for like.....

spectator2.bsky.social1

Zelensky offers Fedorov a "worthy position of power". So, no return as Defense Minister? Fedorov stood for transparency and against corruption. That's one of the core reasons people want him back.

Quoting this

🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦335

Mykhailo Drapatyi breaks through a pro-Russian barricade in Mariupol on May 9, 2014. Then a major and battalion commander in Ukraine’s 72nd Mechanized Brigade, Drapatyi led his unit into the city as part of an operation to free hostages held at the Mariupol police headquarters.

Françoïs Guesnet2

... and what about Fedorov?

UNITED24 Media

@united24media.com

⚡️ BREAKING: President Zelenskyy has removed Oleksandr Syrskyi from his post as Commander-in-Chief, naming Mykhailo Drapatyi to take over the role.

1633h ago

Naida468

Sad. 😒 Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-In-Chief of the AFU. The best Four Star General. He can be rude, but he was good. 👍 Thank you Sir for everything. 🫡

Maria Karanevych 8

We are grateful to Syrskyi for everything he has done for Ukraine on the battlefield. I will never forget how much joy there was when Syrskyi launched the special operation in Kursk. 💙💛

Johnny Chicago the 6th3

Shit happens, and sometimes when people underperform their jobs they need to be removed. Here in America fucking up gets you promoted when you're in the government service. Ask the big pedophile baby in Washington DC..

Quoting this

lusinda 🏴‍☠️5

i’ve been quiet since all this was quite depressing and required a lot of effort to process and to deal with but this is exactly why nobody can tell us about democracy because we are democracy and this is how it works

Joni Askola

@joniaskola.bsky.social

No matter how capable, experienced, and misunderstood Syrskyi was, his extreme unpopularity hurt mobilization efforts. Drapatyi is competent and more popular, making him a great successor. His job won’t be easy, but this is still a bad day for Russia

1163h ago

burningthirdrome6

The new commander will also have to make unpopular decisions. That is simply the nature of the position. At the very latest when ruzzia calls up the next wave of conscripts. Then it won’t just be about drones, but about soldiers in the trenches.

patb2009.bsky.social1

Syrskyi struck me as very soviet in mindset and careless with the. Lives of the soldiers. He was obviously a good Logistical mind and has handled much of the battle well but he took far Too many casualties

MAKS 26 👀🇺🇦

@maks23.bsky.social

The fact is that Oleksandr Syrskyi ensured Ukraine's results in the defense of Kyiv, in the Kharkiv offensive operation, and in the Kursk operation. I am grateful to Syrskyi and each of our soldiers for Ukraine's strong front-line positions. I am grateful to Drapatiy for precisely this view.

1423h ago

🇩🇰🇺🇦🇬🇪🇪🇺Tordenskjold🔔12

Many are talking badly about Syrskyi. Remember he fought for Ukraine since 2014. Under the hardest of circumstances. He might not have all the good ideas but he is hero to me!

MyFry1

Exactly. So why dismiss him ???

Anonymous

@youranoncentral.bsky.social

Day six of Ukraine’s anti-corruption protests continues, with protesters securing at least one major victory: the removal of Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi.

Young protestors against corruption in Ukraine

1133h ago

schoolhouserox.bsky.social2

And in the US, a protest every 3 months lasts 2 hours. That's why protest change happens everywhere but here.

Yaroslava

@strategywoman.bsky.social

Democracy in action. President Zelenskyy has replaced Oleksandr Syrskyi as Commander-in-Chief. I took this photo at the peaceful protest in Kyiv.

1243h ago

Erich Meier8

Wow! It was a very difficult situation for Zelenskyi. I think it was good to listen to the people, but also to not rush into a decision but talk to many mil leaders and find a widely accepted solution. Now it's important that the transfer of responsibility goes smoothly. 1/2

Anita White6

I just saw! Well done.

Veronique Christophe 6

Inspirational how disciplined, united and effective Ukrainian society makes its opinion heard. And equally hopeful and powerful that the top brass take the People's voice into account. Countries across the globe can take lessons from these latest peaceful protests. 👍💪💙💛

Mie Sterckx5

That's very good news! Meanwhile we have arrived in Denmark. Photo is from Lauwersoog, The Netherlands.

Rich Dahlstedt4

This is what happens when the people have a unified voice and the government listens Not that Ukraine hasn't been fighting for democracy for all during these five years but now there is a lesson in how you behave as a democracy Слава Україні та справжній демократії, якою вона є

mainebogboy.bsky.social3

Yes Yaroslava! Democracy in action indeed! Keywords = peaceful, listening. Wonderful photograph Yaroslava. Thanks for this important information. Jim. Ukraine Always! 🇺🇦

Oz Katerji

@ozkaterji.bsky.social

BREAKING: President Zelenskyy has fired embattled commander in chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, naming Mykhailo Drapatyi as his replacement

873h ago

Maria Popova

@popovaprof.bsky.social

A short explainer of the political crisis in Ukraine right now. Fedorov, Syrskyi, Zelensky, and the majority of Ukrainians share the same goal— defeat Russia. The debate and disagreement is how best to achieve it. Also, don’t forget that…

797h ago

Maria Popova74

Civilian oversight of the military is a feature of democracies that often leads to tension, shuffles, and resignations. The difference in Ukraine is that society is acutely attuned to the issue because the country is more than a decade into an existential defensive war.

Euromaidan Press

@euromaidanpress.bsky.social

Zelenskyy has dismissed Ukraine’s commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrskyi and named Mykhailo Drapatyi as his replacement. The decision comes after Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov’s removal sparked protests and a debate over the future of Ukraine’s military. euromaidanpress.com/2026/07/21/z...

593h ago

Quoting this

Remain In Hell Without Despair32

The reason (neo)liberal democracy in Ukraine is worth defending is because when the Government does something particularly awful, the masses can push it back. Try doing anything like that where Moscow's writ runs.

Emmanuelle Chaze

@emmanuellechaze.com

🔴 Zelensky announces the dismissal of Oleksandr Syrskyi as Commander-in-Chief and appoints Mykhailo Drapatyi as Syrskyi's successor.

263h ago

OSINTRadar

@osintradar.bsky.social

🇺🇦⚡️ According to a Bloomberg source, Volodymyr Zelenskyy is reportedly considering appointing Major General Mykhailo Drapatyi, the Commander of the Joint Forces, as the replacement for Oleksandr Syrskyi. Syrskyi could be dismissed from his position in the coming days.

37Yesterday

Annemiek 🇺🇦 🇳🇱 🇮🇹 🇵🇸

@annemiekvanmoorst.bsky.social

"A commander has no right to remain silent about problems, especially when their cost is measured in lost opportunities time and human lives. Silence does not protect the army; it only allows mistakes to accumulate until they become much more difficult to correct" kyivindependent.com/mykhailo-dra...

2414h ago

3 sources

france24.comZelensky sacks Ukraine army chief Oleksandr Syrsky kyivindependent.comBreaking: Zelensky dismisses Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi amid widespread protests bbc.co.ukRow escalates in Ukraine over army chief's future

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Zelensky dismisses Ukraine Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi

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