Zelensky facing growing crisis as he fires commander-in-chief after days of protests

Ukraine's commander in chief, Oleksandr Syrskyi, was fired by President Volodymyr Zelensky after days of protests had descended on the country's capital, Kyiv, and other major cities.

Zelensky announced on social media on Tuesday that he would replace Syrskyi with Mykhailo Drapatyi, entrusting him with one of the most important jobs in a country at war with Russia for almost five years.

"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," Zelensky wrote on social media.

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Zelensky thanked Syrskyi for his achievements in Ukraine's fight against Russia and praised him for the defense of Kyiv and for operations in Kharkiv and Kursk.

"I am grateful to Oleksandr Syrskyi and to every one of our warriors for Ukraine's strong front-line positions," he said. "I am grateful to Mykhailo Drapatyi for holding that same view."

Meanwhile, Syrskyi expressed confusion about being fired from the job, writing in a newspaper column Monday that he was "surprised to learn the minister and I had a conflict."

"I perceived our relationship as a working one: with complex issues, with different positions. This is how it should be between two institutions during a major war," he wrote.

Drapatyi wrote in a Facebook post that serving Ukraine "has always been an honor for me, and during this war for independence, it means absolute responsibility." He thanked Syrskyi for his consistent work strengthening the Ukrainian military.

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"I grew up in it," he added, referring to the army. "I will work responsibly, with focus and with respect for the people defending our state today."

The Ukrainian leader said he decided to appoint the new army chief after a series of meetings with military commanders. They began shortly after protests broke out demanding the reinstatement of former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, seen by demonstrators as a driver of military modernization, and the removal of Syrskyi, who they said embodied the army's old, Soviet-style command culture.

In his column, Syrskyi offered a personal apology to Fedorov, writing: "I can be harsh. But I ask you, and everyone following this story with enthusiasm: let's focus not on the personal but on the global. On victory."

On Tuesday, Zelensky separately met with Fedorov and offered him what he called a respected government position to unify the country's technology sector. It wasn't clear if Fedorov accepted the offer - or whether the latest moves would satisfy protesters and calm the streets.

Fedorov congratulated Drapatyi, calling the appointment "new hope in the fight of free people for freedom and justice" and "a voice for change that could not go unheard."

Fedorov had criticized Syrskyi publicly before his dismissal, saying the general was blocking his reform efforts and needed to be replaced for Ukraine not to fail in its resistance against Russia. He said Ukrainians' high expectations must now be met with a clear vision for ending the war, decisive action to preserve soldiers' lives, expand robotic warfare at the front, strike asymmetrically, and exhaust Russia's economy.

Prior to Syrskyi's firing, Ukraine's general staff denied rumors that he would be ousted, but explained that the ultimate decision would be up to Zelensky. However, the president's chief of staff, Kyrylo Budanov, widely regarded as an influential figure in the administration, hinted that the public's protests were being acknowledged by Zelensky.

"The public's position has been heard," he said, adding that the issue would be resolved "professionally and constructively," urging "everyone to keep calm."

"The enemy is closely watching every one of our internal disputes and waiting for us to start fighting among ourselves... work is under way. Results will follow," he said.

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