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Zelenskyy replaces head of Ukraine's army amid calls from protesters to do so

On Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy fired Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi as commander-in-chief of Ukraine's armed forces, following days of mass protests in Kyiv and other cities nationwide demanding his removal.

Ukrainian president fires Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi and appoints Mykhailo Drapatyi as new army chief

The Associated Press · Posted: Jul 21, 2026 4:45 PM EDT \| Last Updated: 9 minutes ago

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Oleksandr Syrskyi, seen in the foreground of the image, is no longer Ukraine's army chief. He was fired following days of mass protests in Kyiv and other cities nationwide demanding his removal. (Ukrainian Presidential Press Service/Reuters)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday fired Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi as commander-in-chief of Ukraine's armed forces, following days of mass protests in Kyiv and other cities nationwide demanding his removal.

Zelenskyy appointed Mykhailo Drapatyi as the new army chief, according to a statement on social media.

"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," Zelenskyy said. He said "a significant path has been traveled, the defence of Ukraine continues, and every warrior deserves dignified treatment."

Ukraine has been in a state of all-out war with Russia for more than four years, after Moscow launched a full-scale invasion of its neighbour in February 2022.