Oleksandr Syrskyi is dismissed after backlash over the removal of popular Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov.

Oleksandr Syrskyi was praised by President Zelensky for successfully defending Ukraine's capital Kyiv in 2022 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has dismissed the country's army commander-in-chief, Oleksandr Syrskyi. It comes just days after the removal of popular Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov - a move that triggered street protests across the country. Initial rumours that the end of Fedorov's tenure was related to a conflict between him and Syrskyi were soon confirmed. Fedorov, 35, has been widely praised for energising the ministry and transforming the armed forces, as well as leading a drive against corruption. Syrskyi, 60, is seen by many in Ukraine as a Soviet-school commander reluctant to implement radical changes in the army. He was replaced by Mykhailo Drapatyi, 43, who is a popular, battle-hardened general. In a video post on social media late on Tuesday, Zelensky thanked Syrskyi for his military campaigns, including his role in successfully defending the capital Kyiv during the first days of Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022. Zelensky also revealed that earlier in the day, he met Fedorov and offered him a "worthy position in power", but did not say whether the offer had been accepted.