Ukraine's Zelenskiy meets commanders as street protests mount
Zelenskyy is weighing military leadership changes as protesters demand Fedorov’s return, and a poll found 61% of Ukrainians opposed his dismissal.
- On Monday, July 20, Ukraine's General Staff officially rejected reports that Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi had been removed from his post, as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held meetings with senior military commanders.
- Nationwide protests began July 16 following the government reshuffle and removal of defense minister Mykhailo Fedorov, with polling from Gradus indicating 61% of Ukrainians opposed the departure.
- More than 5,000 protesters gathered in central Kyiv on July 17, demanding Fedorov's reinstatement and Syrskyi's dismissal, while criticizing the current command for "Soviet-style" tactics.
- Amid the demonstrations, Zelenskyy met with five generals and one colonel, viewed by analysts as potential replacements for Syrskyi, to discuss the battlefield situation along more than 1,200 kilometres of the frontline.
- Organizer Dmytro Koziatynskyi called for "general, indefinite protest" unless Syrskyi is removed and Fedorov reappointed by July 24, though Chief of Staff Kyrylo Budanov promised a constructive response, stating, "The public's views have been heard.
109 Articles
109 Articles
The outgoing commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian armed forces, Olexander Syrskyy, sees Kiev in the offensive in the defense fight against the Russian attack war.
The dismissal of Defense Minister Mikhail Fedorov is causing tensions in Ukraine. At the core of the problem is the conflict between the military leadership and the reform program. This is a challenge for President Zelenski.
Row escalates in Ukraine over army chief’s future
KYIV - Protesters in Ukraine have threatened nationwide demonstrations if Mykhailo Fedorov is not reinstated as defence minister, as President Volodymyr Zelensky scrambles to quell outrage over the decision to oust him.
The president tries to sew up the crisis and respond to the mobilized squares in support of Fedorov (ANSA)
Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenski announced Tuesday night the dismissal of Army Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Sirski. His successor will be Mikhail Drapati, the commander of Ukrainian ground forces who resigned in early June following a Russian attack on a training camp for “sense of personal responsibility.” Activist Serhi Sternenko was the first to confirm the news and the first to mention the name Drapati.
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