Swapna Kumbar , Bengaluru - President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has removed Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi and named Mykhailo Drapatyi as Ukraine’s new army chief after days of mass protests in Kyiv and other cities. The unrest was triggered by a broader reshuffle and growing anger over Syrskyi’s leadership style and his clash with former Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov.

The protests intensified after Fedorov was dismissed last week, with demonstrators accusing the leadership of sidelining reform-minded figures and clinging to an outdated, top-down military structure. Syrskyi had reportedly been at odds with Fedorov over the direction of Ukraine’s war effort and the pace of military reform, including efforts to modernise command and improve battlefield innovation.

Zelenskyy said the change was meant to strengthen the armed forces and thanked Syrskyi for his service, but the move was widely seen as a response to public pressure. Drapatyi is viewed as a respected commander and his appointment appears aimed at calming the protests while restoring confidence in wartime leadership.

The leadership shake-up reflects mounting tension inside Ukraine over how the war is being managed and who should shape its future direction. By replacing Syrskyi, Zelenskyy is trying to steady the military and respond to public anger, but the protests suggest deeper demands for reform remain unresolved.