Amid Protests: Zelenskyy Considers Syrsky’s Resignation – FT
18 July 15:03
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is considering the possibility of dismissing Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi amid the most serious crisis in the military leadership during his presidency. A senior official in the presidential administration told The Financial Times about this, according to "Komersant Ukrainian".
According to the official, Zelenskyy will meet with military leaders this weekend to hear their assessments of the situation on the battlefield and consider candidates for the post of commander-in-chief. The source told the publication that the president is prepared to dismiss Syrskyi if he finds a military commander capable of ensuring a smooth transfer of authority while maintaining a stable defense along the 1,200-kilometer front line.
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Zelenskyy began considering replacing Syrskyi after mass protests erupted over the dismissal of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, who had served for only half a year but had demonstrated high effectiveness.
Fedorov himself stated that it was Syrskyi who demanded his resignation, issuing an “ultimatum” to the president. Zelenskyy had previously acknowledged that relations between the minister and the commander-in-chief had irreparably deteriorated and that they had ceased direct communication.
Fedorov publicly accused Syrsky of blocking reforms at the Ministry of Defense and stated that Ukraine needs to replace its top military leadership, including the Chief of the General Staff, in order to adapt to the changed nature of the war.
He emphasized that the future belongs to drones and automation, while Syrskyi adheres to a traditional model of warfare based on the use of infantry and artillery.
Syrsky assumed the post of Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in February 2024, succeeding Valery Zaluzhny. Among some Ukrainian military personnel, he is known by the nickname “The Butcher” due to his willingness to incur heavy casualties to achieve military objectives, the FT notes.
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