{"id":2633314,"date":"2026-07-21T18:35:01","date_gmt":"2026-07-21T22:35:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/zelensky-sacks-ukrainian-commander-in-chief-syrsky-in-major-military-shake-up\/"},"modified":"2026-07-21T18:39:22","modified_gmt":"2026-07-21T22:39:22","slug":"zelensky-sacks-ukrainian-commander-in-chief-syrsky-in-major-military-shake-up","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/zelensky-sacks-ukrainian-commander-in-chief-syrsky-in-major-military-shake-up\/","title":{"rendered":"Zelensky sacks Ukrainian Commander in Chief Syrsky in major military shake-up"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">22<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fzelensky-sacks-ukrainian-commander-in-chief-syrsky-in-major-military-shake-up%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2633314&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has dismissed Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrsky, the second person to hold this position as Russia\u2019s invasion began.Syrsky, appointed on February 8, 2024, became a controversial figure, seen by critics as outdated and responsible for needless casualties, while supporters viewed him as a capable leader making tough but necesary decisions. Zelensky, who previously protected Syrsky due to his lack of political ambition, was forced to fire him after a conflict with former defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, who criticized Syrsky\u2019s conduct and military strategies publicly.<\/p>\n<p>the firing followed internal disagreements over military approaches-Fedorov advocating for drone-centric strategies, which Syrsky dismissed as unrealistic given Ukraine\u2019s adversary\u2019s superiority in artillery and infantry, and Syrsky emphasizing traditional, proven methods.Syrsky\u2019s sudden removal sparked political maneuvering, with Zelensky appointing Mykhailo Drapaty as his replacement, signaling a shift influenced by liberal and right-wing factions within ukraine\u2019s political landscape.<\/p>\n<p>Fedorov, popular among Western liberals, criticized military bureaucracy and pushed for modern, tech-driven reforms, clashing with Syrsky\u2019s traditional soviet-style approach. The dispute highlighted broader ideological divides and strategic disagreements, ultimately affecting ukraine\u2019s military leadership and strategy amid ongoing conflict. Despite the controversies, Syrsky contributed considerably to Ukraine\u2019s recent military successes, including defending Kyiv and leading offensives in Kharkiv. The leadership changes reflect the complex political and military tensions within Ukraine\u2019s efforts to navigate the war.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ukrainian President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/volodymyr-zelensky\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"891\">Volodymyr Zelensky<\/a> fired Ukrainian Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrsky, the second man in the position since <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/russia-ukraine-war\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"311\">Russia\u2019s invasion of the country<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Syrsky was appointed to the position on Feb. 8, 2024, after the sacking of Valery Zaluzhny, his more publicly visible predecessor. He soon made a name for himself as one of the most polarizing figures in Ukraine, seen by detractors as an archaic figure responsible for thousands of unnecessary deaths through his holding to outdated Soviet ways of thinking, and by defenders as a skilled defender willing to make unpopular but realistic decisions required for the kind of war being fought, while resisting unrealistic calls for transitioning the military to a more drone-centered force.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4657933\/zelensky-sack-ukraine-commander-oleksandr-syrsky-military-commanders-lined-up\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Zelensky sacks Ukrainian Commander in Chief Syrsky in major military shake-up<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/defense\/4657796\/updated-estimated-cost-iran-war-pete-hegseth\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Updated estimated cost of Iran war is $37.5 billion: Hegseth<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/defense\/4657270\/pickaxe-mountain-central-iran-conflict-trump-strike\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>What is Pickaxe Mountain, and why has it become central to the Iran conflict?<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Office, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, center, Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrsky, right, look at a map during their visit to Sumy, Ukraine, Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024. (Ukrainian Presidential Press Office via AP)<\/p>\n<p>&#8221; data-large-file=&#8221;https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/2026\/07\/localimages\/AP24235416166057.jpg?w=696&#8243; &#8220;https:><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Office, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, center, Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrsky, right, look at a map during their visit to Sumy, Ukraine, Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024. (Ukrainian Presidential Press Office via AP)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Syrsky was insulated from most criticisms since taking his position, protected by Zelensky, who likely appreciated his lack of political ambition, an issue he faced with Zaluzhny. This changed last week after Zelensky fired popular former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, who, rather than going quietly, decided to go public with his criticisms of Syrsky, blaming him for the military\u2019s failures.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Zelensky finally caved to pressure to fire Syrsky on Tuesday, announcing that Commander of the Joint Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Mykhailo Drapaty would take his place. However, he couched the firing with liberal praise for Syrsky, listing off his accomplishments.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIt is a fact that Oleksandr Syrsky ensured Ukraine\u2019s success in defending Kyiv, in the Kharkiv offensive operation, and in the Kursk operation,\u201d Zelensky said in a post on Telegram. \u201cSignificant progress has been made, the defense of Ukraine continues, and it is essential to treat every soldier with respect. I am grateful to Oleksandr Syrsky and every one of our soldiers for their strong positions on the front lines. I am grateful to Mykhailo Drapatii for his vision. Today, Oleksandr Syrsky and I, along with Andriy Gnativ, discussed future service arrangements and the proper transfer of responsibilities.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The moves would be finalized tomorrow, the Ukrainian president added.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The firing of Syrsky came as a surprise to many, especially as the protests that followed Fedorov\u2019s firing were relatively small in number. The key push likely came from within the military or political elite. As with the firing of his longtime closest ally Andriy Yermak as his chief of staff last year, the saga illustrates Zelensky\u2019s political fragility, as he had long resisted pushback against Syrsky.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The crisis triggered last week by Fedorov\u2019s firing was made increasingly public by unfavorable media coverage, and the episode served as a lightning rod for the critics of Syrsky\u2019s conduct to push forward for his firing. Zelensky appeared to begin preparing for Syrsky\u2019s replacement over the past few days by holding publicly telegraphed meetings with nearly a dozen leading military commanders, including the man who would ultimately be chosen as Syrsky\u2019s replacement. Notably, he was accompanied by his new defense minister in the published photos, indicating he has no intention of rehiring Fedorov.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It became dire enough this week that Syrsky published a rare <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/militarnyi.com\/uk\/articles\/moya-robota-vijna\/\">column<\/a> under his own name, apologizing to Fedorov for their feud and urging the public not to personalize the war.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cFor me, it was a surprise to learn that the minister and I had a conflict,\u201d Syrsky wrote. \u201cI saw our relationship as a working one, with difficult questions and different positions. That is how it should be between two institutions during a great war.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIf I offended someone with something: Mykhailo Albertovych [Fedorov], I\u2019m sorry. I can be tough,\u201d he said. \u201cBut I ask you, and everyone following this story with such enthusiasm, to focus not on the personal but on the global one. On victory.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Despite the apology, he devoted extensive space to explaining the chain of command, the division of labor, and who is actually responsible for military strategy, all of which seemed veiled swipes at Fedorov, with the implication that he didn\u2019t understand these matters. He also took credit for things that were publicly credited to Fedorov, including the long-range drone campaign and drone strikes to try to isolate Crimea.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-25\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-4\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWar strategy, planning of operations, the situation on the front \u2014 by law, I am responsible to the Supreme Commander-in-Chief,\u201d Syrsky wrote. \u201cLong-range strikes, isolation of Crimea \u2014 this is done by the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the Security Service of Ukraine, the State Security Service of Ukraine, and is coordinated by the Supreme Commander-in-Chief and me. Not because I \u2018don\u2019t let\u2019 anyone succeed, but because that is how institutional processes are built in all armies of the world.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His most significant not-so-subtle criticism of Fedorov was about the technocrat\u2019s focus on shifting the UAF to a drone-focused force, something he dismissed as unrealistic and out of touch with reality.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe are not at war with a conventionally small country. Against us is an enemy that is superior in everything, who fights, in particular, with artillery, aviation, and infantry,\u201d Syrsky wrote. \u201cI cannot transfer a million-strong army \u2018to drones\u2019 in two months and say: now we are fighting like this. In addition to the fact that this is an obvious adventure, any experiment of this scale is paid for by our lands and our people.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-26\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-5\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His column ended up being in vain, as he was fired the next day.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fedorov had aired all these grievances and more shortly after he was fired, holding a press conference in his favored Steve Jobs-style presentation, presenting his vision of modern warfare, drone technology, and trashing army leadership and bureaucracy. After being removed, he\u2019d increasingly targeted Syrsky with his criticisms.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The choice of Drapaty signals a major victory for two major cadres in the Ukrainian political establishment \u2014 the western-aligned liberals and the more radical right-wing elements, simultaneously. However, he\u2019s in the middle of the two poles who were held up as two of the other most likely candidates: the former neo-Nazi politician known as the \u201cWhite Fuhrer,\u201d Big. Gen. Andriy Biletsky, and one of Syrsky\u2019s acolytes, Brig. Gen. Oleg Apostol. Both had met with Zelensky in his public casting campaign.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Syrsky-Fedorov dispute culminated in both of their firings, primarily over military strategy, but quickly took on a political character. Fedorov was beloved by Ukraine\u2019s Western-aligned liberals, and liberal media outlets spent days after his firing railing against the perceived injustice and calling for Syrsky\u2019s removal.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Syrsky, though entirely apolitical, came to be treated as a proxy for nonliberal and non-Western thinking and forces in Ukraine, being seen by the more liberal political class as a relic from Soviet times.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The more radical right-wing elements, exemplified by Biletsky, were more of a wild card, having generally good relations with both sides.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Zelensky was caught in the middle, but as with the Yermak saga, he found the liberal pressure was too much to bear.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As for whether Syrsky\u2019s removal will coincide with a major overhaul in strategy may be unlikely. One of the foremost issues that triggered the Fedorov firing was issues around mobilization, especially after a riot in Lviv, the heartland of Ukrainian nationalists, against the press ganging of locals. While some blame has been placed on Syrsky for the forced conscription detachments, Fedorov also holds blame in his position. No viable alternatives have been offered by rivals to solve the country\u2019s manpower issues.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The primary strategic clash behind the leadership shake-ups was the competing visions of Fedorov and Syrsky. Syrsky is known as a more traditional commander, and his reforms have focused on forming new infantry assault groups and procuring traditional weapons. Fedorov has pushed for the opposite, aiming to replace much of the military with drones to make up for casualties.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With limited resources to contend with, the differing philosophies inevitably clashed and created a situation where Zelensky had to choose between the two.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fedorov and Syrsky\u2019s leadership styles also clashed. Syrsky, who began his career in the Soviet military and graduated from the Moscow Higher Military Command School, subscribed to the Soviet centralized command-and-control system, favoring a top-down approach to command. Fedorov, just 35 years old, has spent his career idolizing the startup, entrepreneurial culture of Silicon Valley and sought to recreate it in Ukraine. His data-centric approach and favoring of empowering lower commanders has annoyed much of the traditional military establishment.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4652067\/zelensky-backlash-firing-defense-minister-fedorov\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4652067\/zelensky-backlash-firing-defense-minister-fedorov\/\">ZELENSKY FACES BACKLASH AFTER FIRING POPULAR DEFENSE MINISTER<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Though the Western and Ukrainian public largely side with Fedorov in the dispute with Syrsky, the fight can\u2019t be fairly characterized by Western technology and innovation versus old Soviet-style bureaucracy and backwardness. Syrsky was a leading figure behind many of Ukraine\u2019s biggest wartime successes, including the defense of Kyiv in 2022 and the Kharkiv counteroffensive of September 2022. Ukraine\u2019s relative successes on parts of the front line this year, such as successful localized counteroffensives in Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia, can be credited in part to Syrsky\u2019s focus on cultivating manpower and forming assault groups.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Many within the military, outside the high command, also spoke against Fedorov, voicing skepticism about the efficacy of his reforms. Roman Ponomarenko, an analyst in the prestigious 1st Azov Corps, called the reforms a \u201csham.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Zelensky dismisses top Ukrainian military leader Syrsky<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2653,"featured_media":2633315,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/AP24235416166057.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651,538],"tags":[83000,82999,8630],"class_list":["post-2633314","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","category-washington-examiner","tag-syrsky","tag-ukrainian-military","tag-zelensky"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/AP24235416166057.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2633314","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2653"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2633314"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2633314\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2633317,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2633314\/revisions\/2633317"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2633315"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2633314"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2633314"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2633314"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}