Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi from his position as commander-in-chief of the armed forces on Monday. The decision followed recent public protests regarding the military's performance and strategy. Zelenskyy did not immediately detail the specific reasons for the dismissal in his public announcement but stated that a replacement had been appointed.
Syrskyi had served as the top commander since February 2024, when he replaced Gen. Valerii Zaluzhnyi. During his tenure, Syrskyi oversaw several major operations, including the incursion into Russia’s Kursk region. However, the military has recently faced sustained pressure from Russian forces in eastern Ukraine and internal debates regarding mobilization and troop rotation.
The leadership change comes as Ukraine continues to lobby international partners for increased military aid and long-range weaponry. Zelenskyy named Maj. Gen. Anatolii Barhylevych, who previously served as the chief of the General Staff, as Syrskyi's successor to lead the nation's defense efforts.