In a shocking move, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has dismissed Commander‑in‑Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi from his post, just days after the removal of Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov.

The sack follows a series of street protests that erupted in Kyiv and other cities after Fedorov's abrupt departure, which many saw as a sign of growing friction between the President and his top military officials.

Fedorov, praised for rejuvenating the armed forces and championing anti‑corruption measures, left the ministry with a portfolio of reforms that confronted long‑established Soviet‑era leadership styles.

Syrskyi, 60, had been perceived by opposition groups as a conservative commander who resisted the radical restructuring demanded by Zelensky’s reform agenda.

While the exact reasons behind the leadership shake‑up remain undisclosed, initial reports point to a rift between the President and the two generals, highlighting the fragility and volatility of Ukraine’s war‑time command structure.

Zelensky firing naval commander

Further details are expected as officials prepare to announce the next steps in Ukraine’s military leadership.