- Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has replaced the military 's commander-in-chief, General Oleksandr Syrskyi, with Major General Mykhailo Drapatyi, following days of protests and widespread disapproval of Syrskyi's leadership style.
- General Syrskyi, appointed in 2023, was credited with early war successes but was criticised for his rigid, Soviet -era military approach and perceived disregard for soldier casualties, alienating many younger, Nato -trained officers.
- Major General Drapatyi, 43, has been widely welcomed due to his reputation as a thoughtful, intelligent leader receptive to new ideas and subordinates' input, untainted by Soviet military culture, and known for a successful breakout from Mariupol in 2014.
- The change is expected to boost morale within the military, with hopes that Drapatyi will address critical issues such as manpower shortages and the importance of regular leave for service personnel.
- At the same time, defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov, praised for his innovative drone warfare development and anti-corruption efforts, was also sacked and replaced by Yevhenii Khmara, reportedly due to a failure to address manpower shortages.
IN FULL
Zelensky’s new military chief wins widespread approval after surprise sacking
