KYIV, Ukraine — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has dismissed Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi as the head of the country’s military, ending his tenure as commander-in-chief following a wave of mass demonstrations that swept through Kyiv and cities across Ukraine demanding his removal.
In a post on social media, Zelenskyy announced that Mykhailo Drapatyi would step in as the new army chief, taking over leadership of Ukraine’s armed forces.
Zelenskyy addressed the transition with a statement focused on unity and the ongoing war effort. “Our shared wish is one — victory over the enemy and conditions at the front and in pressure on Russia that would force Russia toward peace,” he said. The president added that “a significant path has been traveled, the defense of Ukraine continues, and every warrior deserves dignified treatment.”
