Zelenskyy Fires Army Chief Syrskyi as Kyiv Protesters Demand Fedorov Return

The dismissal of Ukraine’s top commander two days before a protest deadline resolves one demand but leaves demonstrators mobilized over the defense minister’s reinstatement.

President Zelenskyy fired Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi on Tuesday, July 22, 2026, and appointed Mykhailo Drapatyi to lead the armed forces in a move that answered the first half of an ultimatum issued by street protesters in Kyiv [6]. The personnel change came two days before organizers had pledged to begin open-ended nationwide demonstrations if Syrskyi remained in command and former Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov was not restored to his post [1]. While the dismissal removes the immediate trigger for the Friday deadline, campaigners announced they will continue indefinite protests until Fedorov returns to the defense ministry, arguing that military reform cannot proceed without him [7].

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