Zelenskyy Sacks Top General

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi and appointed Major General Mykhailo Drapatyi as Ukraine's new army chief, marking the most significant military leadership shake-up since 2024.

The dismissal followed days of nationwide protests demanding Syrskyi's removal, sparked by the surprise firing of popular Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov.

Drapatyi, who previously resigned over the deaths of 12 soldiers, is known for advocating a more modern, innovative approach to warfare and has been critical of Soviet-style leadership.

Ukrainian soldiers and civilians welcomed the appointment but many continued to demand Fedorov's reinstatement.