Zelensky sacks Ukrainian Commander in Chief Syrsky in major military shake-up

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky fired Ukrainian Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrsky, the second man in the position since Russia's invasion of the country.

Syrsky was appointed to the position on Feb. 8, 2024, after the sacking of Valery Zaluzhny, his more publicly visible predecessor. He soon made a name for himself as one of the most polarizing figures in Ukraine, seen by detractors as an archaic figure responsible for thousands of unnecessary deaths through his holding to outdated Soviet ways of thinking, and by defenders as a skilled defender willing to make unpopular but realistic decisions required for the kind of war being fought, while resisting unrealistic calls for transitioning the military to a more drone-centered force.

Syrsky was insulated from most criticisms since taking his position, protected by Zelensky, who likely appreciated his lack of political ambition, an issue he faced with Zaluzhny. This changed last week after Zelensky fired popular former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, who, rather than going quietly, decided to go public with his criticisms of Syrsky, blaming him for the military's failures.