Is it possible to replace Syrskyi and potential candidates for the new Commander-in-Chief?
5 December 18:04
The dismissal of the head of the Presidential Administration, Andriy Yermak, and the dire situation at the frontline have spurred discussions about the dismissal of the Chief of the Armed Forces , Oleksandr Syrskyi. Experts, journalists, and politicians are publicly speaking about this possibility. In addition, both the military and political circles are already discussing certain candidates to replace Syrsky, informs
Yesterday, from the rostrum of the Verkhovna Rada, MP Mariana Bezuhla voiced a demand to dismiss Syrsky.
“I would like to draw your attention to the fact that Pokrovsk has already been de facto captured, Myrnohrad is completely surrounded, the Russians are approaching Zaporizhzhia and have long ago penetrated Kostiantynivka. We still have gaping holes in our air defense. (…) The situation continues to deteriorate, and Syrsky is still in office. The General Staff has not been reformed, the audit of the troops has not been conducted, and the National Security and Defense Council is headed by a person involved in corruption investigations and the person of the dismissed head of the OP. The number of the AFU has exceeded the number of our army before Russia’s full-scale invasion. (…) Under such management, the army fights by itself, for itself, and remains decentralized, maintaining its stability. Now, having finally had some political renewal and the restart of the OP, we need military reform so that (…) we do not finally turn into a hospice. Syrskyi must resign!” the MP said.
According to her, “new commanders with a full understanding of defense should take over the leadership of the army.”
Military experts and the military themselves are cautious about potential candidates to replace Syrsky, according to the editorial board.
According to military correspondent Bohdan Myroshnikov, there are at least two such candidates.
“There are only two candidates to replace Syrsky. The first one is an experienced general with vast combat experience, not very public, but enjoys the utmost respect from those who have ever met him. He is definitely the best possible candidate. He is not a “parquet” or a “soviet” general. He is a modern combat general. If he is appointed, he will become the youngest Chief of the General Staff in our history.
The second candidate is a less experienced general, but “a favorite of the public,” he wrote, without naming a name.
Candidates who could
Back in May of this year, Yevhen Moysiuk, Lieutenant General, Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine and former Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, was named among the possible successors to Syrsky.
“Lieutenant General Moisiuk Yevhen is being considered as a replacement for Syrsky after the failure on the Kursk direction,” wrote MP Oleksiy Honcharenko.
This is a possibility that is still relevant today, according to the editorial sources:
“We know that Moysiuk was Zaluzhny’s deputy. But it is also known that he is now considered loyal to the OP. He has combat experience. He has both achievements and defeats. One of his key advantages in the context of a possible appointment is probably that he is a conscientious performer. I would say so”.
According to a military source, the name of Major General Viktor Nikoliuk, commander of the Donetsk military operation area (since 2025), is also being mentioned as a potential candidate to replace the Chief of Staff.
“It is possible. And if it happens, I would support it. He is a combat general. He is respected among the personnel. At the beginning of the invasion, he commanded the defense of Chernihiv and participated in battles. And by the way. Nikoluk held our Pokrovsk from February to September-October. Until Syrsky removed him, and then Pokrovsk collapsed. Syrsky was warned. But he listens only to himself. Syrsky’s command style and unwillingness to listen to those smarter than him is a separate topic. Sorry to be so blunt. But it is what it is,” says the source.
It is also possible that the former First Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, Colonel General Ihor Kolesnyk, will be considered for the position of Syrsky . Although it is believed that this candidate is already “from the longest bench”.
Who is not being considered
At the same time, several interlocutors of the editorial board denied the likelihood and even the logic of appointing representatives of such brigades as Azov or Third Assault Brigade to the post of the AFU Commander-in-Chief . They argue that the exploits of famous officers (“for which they should be praised and thanked”) cannot be equated with the strategic and tactical skills and knowledge that the future Commander-in-Chief should possess.
In addition, there is a political component to the post of Commander-in-Chief.
“Unfortunately, or fortunately… However, there is no escape from this. The renewal and reboot of the Joint Forces Operation is already affecting the topic of the army. We are now talking about the possible resignation of Syrskyi in light of the latest political developments. One way or another, the army is in dire need of a leader who can unite people around him with prudence, experience, talent and a keen sense of justice,” said the military man with combat experience who is currently undergoing treatment after being wounded.
Oleksandr Syrskyi
Oleksandr Syrskyi has been the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine since February 2024. He replaced Valeriy Zaluzhnyi.
- Rank: Colonel General (since August 2020).
- Awards: Hero of Ukraine (awarded in March 2022 for the successful defense of Kyiv).
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