Zelensky sacks Ukraine's top army commander after days of protestsImage source, Global Images Ukraine via Getty ImagesImage caption, Oleksandr Syrskyi was praised by President Zelensky for successfully defending Ukraine's capital Kyiv in 2022ByJaroslav LukivPublished21 July 2026, 20:43 BSTUpdated 11 minutes agoUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has sacked the country's commander-in-chief, Oleksandr Syrskyi.His dismissal comes just days after the removal of popular Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov - a move that triggered street protests across the country.Initial rumours that the end of Fedorov's tenure was related to a conflict between him and Syrskyi were soon confirmed.Fedorov, 35, has been widely praised for energising the ministry and transforming the armed forces, as well as leading a drive against corruption. Syrskyi, 60, is seen by many in Ukraine as a Soviet-school commander reluctant to implement radical changes in the army.In a post on social media late on Tuesday, Zelensky thanked Syrskyi for his role in successfully defending the capital Kyiv during the first days of the Russian full-scale invasion in 2022, and other military campaigns.Syrskyi was replaced by Mykhailo Drapatyi, who is a popular, battle-hardened general."All decisions will be formalised tomorrow," Zelensky wrote.Related topicsVolodymyr ZelenskyWar in UkraineRussiaUkraineEurope