Zelenskyy dismisses military chief Syrskyi amid protests and rising casualties
President appoints Major General Mykhailo Drapatyi as Commander-in-Chief in a move described as the most significant military restructuring in Ukraine since 2024.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has dismissed Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, appointing Major General Mykhailo Drapatyi as the new head of the armed forces. The decision, confirmed via social media on Tuesday, 21 July 2026, marks the most substantial military leadership change in Kyiv since 2024. Drapatyi, aged 43, previously served as the joint forces commander.
The restructuring follows six days of protests in Kyiv and other major cities, which were triggered by the recent removal of Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. Fedorov had previously clashed with Syrskyi, and his ouster last week sparked widespread unrest. Demonstrators have called for greater accountability and a more effective military strategy, criticising Syrskyi’s handling of the war effort amid rising casualties.
Zelenskyy stated that the leadership change aims to “reset” the war effort against Russia and address internal friction within the military command. He emphasised the need to resolve persistent issues concerning mobilisation and frontline management. In his statement, Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to Syrskyi and the Ukrainian warriors, while welcoming Drapatyi’s shared view on achieving victory and forcing Russia toward peace.
The timing of the appointment coincides with alarming civilian casualty figures. Danielle Bell, head of the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, reported that 1,396 civilians were killed and 7,978 wounded in the first six months of 2026. This represents a 37 percent increase from the same period in 2025 and nearly double the figures documented in 2024.
Both Moscow and Kyiv have intensified air strikes targeting vital infrastructure, with Russia utilising ballistic missiles while Ukraine faces shortages of Patriot interceptor munitions. In retaliation, Ukraine has increased drone strikes on Russian territory, primarily targeting oil depots. Recent attacks have killed at least eight warehouse workers and caused fires near Moscow. Meanwhile, United States-led talks on ending the invasion remain stalled, with American focus largely diverted towards its conflict with Iran.
