Protesters rally against the dismissal of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov and call for the removal of Oleksandr Syrskyi in Kyiv on July 20, 2026.Paula Bronstein/Getty Images

Zelenskyy fires top army commander amid nationwide protests – POLITICO

21 Jul 2026, 21:58 by Veronika Melkozerova · POLITICO

KYIV — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy fired Army Commander-in-Chief Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi on Tuesday, just a week after ousting popular Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov.

Zelenskyy had cited the dysfunctional relationship between Syrskyi and the reformist minister as his reason for firing Fedorov on July 15, but the decision triggered a wave of protests demanding he be reinstated and Syrskyi removed instead.

Zelenskyy has so far refused to return Fedorov to the defense ministry, saying he will be offered another position worthy of his talents in government.