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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has dismissed the country’s highest-ranking military commander, Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi, following days of public demonstrations sparked by recent changes within the nation’s defence leadership.
The move represents a significant policy reversal by Zelensky, who had previously defended Syrskyi and approved the removal of Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov only days earlier.
The protests drew thousands of Ukrainians demanding that the president reverse the shake-up and restore Fedorov’s approach, which prioritised the use of drones and robotic technology in the country’s military operations.
At 35, Fedorov had become a popular figure among many Ukrainians, particularly younger citizens, for championing technological innovation as a key component of Ukraine’s war strategy.
His removal after just six months in office came at a time when Ukraine was believed to be making gains on the battlefield, largely due to the growing effectiveness of medium- and long-range drone attacks targeting Russian territory and occupied Crimea.
The leadership overhaul has also raised fresh concerns about political cohesion in Ukraine as the country continues its prolonged war with Russia. Observers fear the controversy could weaken the sense of national unity that has helped sustain the country through nearly five years of conflict.
