Zelensky sacks Ukraine's top army commander after days of protests
Oleksandr Syrskyi is dismissed after days of unrest over the removal of popular Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has sacked the country's commander-in-chief, Oleksandr Syrskyi.
His dismissal 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.
In a post on social media late on Tuesday, Zelensky thanked Syrskyi for his role in successfully defending the capital Kyiv during the first days of the Russian full-scale invasion in 2022, and other military campaigns.
Syrskyi was replaced by Mykhailo Drapatyi, who is a popular, battle-hardened general.
"All decisions will be formalised tomorrow," Zelensky wrote.
Source: BBC — World
