Zelensky Replaces Ukraine's Commander-in-Chief
World
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced the dismissal of Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi. Major General Mykhailo Drapatyi, previously Commander of the Joint Forces, has been appointed to the post. The decision comes one week after changes in the leadership of the Ministry of Defense and amid a public dispute within Ukraine's military leadership.
Zelensky announced the personnel change in his evening address. He thanked Oleksandr Syrskyi for his service, highlighting his role in the defense of Kyiv, the Kharkiv counteroffensive and the operation in Russia's Kursk region.
Newly appointed Commander-in-Chief Mykhailo Drapatyi previously served as Commander of Ukraine's Joint Forces.
Syrskyi's dismissal follows the removal of former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. After leaving office, Fedorov stated that his resignation resulted from disagreements with the Commander-in-Chief and said he had proposed replacing the military leadership. According to him, his reform initiatives had been blocked, while Zelensky initially declined to dismiss the commander.
The personnel changes were accompanied by public debate and demonstrations in several Ukrainian cities, where participants voiced differing demands regarding reforms of the military leadership.
Earlier, Syrskyi rejected claims that he had been in conflict with the former defense minister. In an opinion article, he also stated that Ukraine's military strategy could not be disclosed publicly because doing so would benefit the enemy and undermine the country's defense interests.
Newly appointed Commander-in-Chief Mykhailo Drapatyi previously served as Commander of Ukraine's Joint Forces.
Syrskyi's dismissal follows the removal of former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. After leaving office, Fedorov stated that his resignation resulted from disagreements with the Commander-in-Chief and said he had proposed replacing the military leadership. According to him, his reform initiatives had been blocked, while Zelensky initially declined to dismiss the commander.
The personnel changes were accompanied by public debate and demonstrations in several Ukrainian cities, where participants voiced differing demands regarding reforms of the military leadership.
Earlier, Syrskyi rejected claims that he had been in conflict with the former defense minister. In an opinion article, he also stated that Ukraine's military strategy could not be disclosed publicly because doing so would benefit the enemy and undermine the country's defense interests.
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