Zelenskyy fires Syrskyi, appoints Drapatyi Commander-in-Chief
Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Mykhailo Drapatyi (Photo: Zelenskiy / Official via Telegram)
Oleksandr Syrskyi is stepping down as Commander-in-Chief of
the Ukrainian Armed Forces, with Maj.
Gen. Mykhailo Drapatyi replacing him, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
announced on July 21.
Zelenskyy announced the change in his evening address, after days of protests calling for Syrskyi’s dismissal. The president said that he, Drapatyi, acting SBU head Yevhen Khmara, and Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Pavlo Palisa had determined a series of accompanying personnel changes at the General Staff.
“The fact is that Oleksandr Syrskyi delivered results for Ukraine in the defense of Kyiv, in the Kharkiv counteroffensive operation, and in the Kursk operation,” said Zelenskyy.
“A significant path has been covered, the defense of Ukraine continues, and every soldier deserves respect.”
He thanked Syrskyi and every fighter for Ukraine’s steadfast defense on the battlefield and added that Drapatyi “shares these views.” He added that he, Syrskyi, and Chief of the General Staff Andriy Hnatov have already discussed their future service and the handover of duties.
“Our shared desire is one — victory over the enemy and creating conditions on the front and pressure on Russia that would force Russia to accept peace,” Zelenskyy concluded.
The president also confirmed that he again met with former
Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov (whose dismissal last week triggered
widespread public backlash) and offered him a government post that “would allow
him to unite the technological component of our state and ensure its
development.”
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