President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that dismissed generals Oleksandr Syrskyi and Andrii Hnatov will continue to advise Ukraine's new military leadership, including newly appointed Commander-in-Chief Mykhailo Drapatyi. The move follows a significant reshuffle in Ukraine's military command.
The military leadership changes in Ukraine are critical for maintaining stability and effectiveness on the front lines amidst the ongoing conflict with Russia, impacting both military operations and national morale.
President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on July 23 that dismissed generals Oleksandr Syrskyi and Andrii Hnatov will continue to serve Ukraine's military in advisory roles, assisting the newly appointed Commander-in-Chief Mykhailo Drapatyi. Zelensky stated that Syrskyi's extensive experience would be invaluable to the new leadership.
"General Syrskyi has tremendous experience. There have been many highly professional operations under his command," Zelensky said during a press conference with Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin. "We understand this very well. That is why we will make sure that both (Syrskyi) and Hnatov do not simply step aside, but pass on their experience to the new command, remain close, help, and consult with (Drapatyi)."
The appointments follow a significant reshuffle, including the dismissal of former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov and the appointment of Drapatyi, who previously served as commander of the Ground Forces. The changes have led to protests in Kyiv and other cities, with demonstrators voicing support for Fedorov and criticizing the sudden reshuffle.
Zelensky confirmed he had met with Syrskyi and Hnatov to facilitate the transition, emphasizing the need for army stability and unity. He indicated that further personnel changes are anticipated based on proposals from the new commander-in-chief. The president aims to retain the strengths of the previous command while implementing Drapatyi's innovative ideas. Drapatyi, who has been on the front lines since 2014, has a reputation for commanding critical operations, including the liberation of Kherson Oblast and the defense of Kharkiv Oblast. Fedorov had previously outlined a rift, suggesting Syrskyi held outdated views on modern warfare, particularly concerning drones, and that the General Staff had blocked Defense Ministry initiatives.