President Volodymyr Zelensky is considering the dismissal of Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrsky, the Financial Times reported, citing sources close to the presidential administration.
Zelensky considers replacing Syrsky
According to the Financial Times (FT), Zelensky is willing to dismiss Syrsky if he can identify a successor capable of ensuring a smooth transition of command while maintaining a strong defense along the 1,200-kilometer (745-mile) frontline. The potential leadership change follows nationwide protests triggered by the recent dismissal of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov.
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As part of the assessment process, Zelensky met with several military commanders over the weekend. On Saturday, July 18, the president held discussions with corps commanders operating in the most intense sectors of the front to hear their assessments of the battlefield, logistics, and Russian operational intentions.
Consultations included Brigadier General Dmytro Voloshyn (8th Air Assault Corps), Major General Artem Bohomolov (10th Army Corps), Brigadier General Oleksii Maistrenko (11th Army Corps), Brigadier General Yevhen Lasiichuk (7th Air Assault Quick Response Corps), Brigadier General Sviatoslav Zaits (20th Army Corps), and Brigadier General Yaroslav Sydorov (17th Army Corps). FT sources indicated these meetings also served as potential interviews for the commander-in-chief position.
In his evening address on July 18, Zelensky acknowledged the demonstrations supporting Fedorov. “Yesterday and today there were many consultations. Of course, I hear what people are saying,” the president stated.
Fedorov’s Dismissal – European Media Assessment
Zelensky noted that he had spoken at length with both Fedorov and Syrsky on Saturday, adding that “decisions regarding the army will be worked out,” without providing further specifics.
Former Defense Minister Fedorov also commented on the situation in response to the protests. In a social media post, he confirmed that “there is a dialogue” and stated that “changes will definitely happen.” He thanked his supporters and expressed gratitude to the military and veterans for holding the front line.
Background of the political rift
Fedorov’s dismissal earlier this week concluded a six-month tenure as defense minister and brought a behind-the-scenes dispute with the military leadership into the public eye. Fedorov accused Syrsky of blocking initiatives and obstructing the modernization of the armed forces.
The outgoing minister revealed that he had previously asked Zelensky to replace Syrsky but later attempted to establish a cooperative framework with the commander. “We reached a situation where all the initiatives we proposed were blocked,” Fedorov stated on Thursday. “Instead of working out how to asymmetrically defeat Russia, he has worked out how to split the country.”
Syrsky issued a brief response thanking Fedorov for his work and urging unity, without directly addressing the allegations. Zelensky acknowledged the breakdown in their working relationship, stating that a president should not have to make such choices in wartime and noting that the two men had failed to find unity.
During his time in office, Fedorov became a prominent figure for advocating domestic drone production, a points-based system for battlefield strikes, and decentralized technological innovation to counter Russia’s manpower advantage.
His removal sparked an immediate backlash on social media, erupting into demonstrations in Kyiv, Lviv, Odesa, Ternopil, Vinnytsia, Kharkiv, and other cities.
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