Zelenskyy considers dismissing Ukraine's top military commander – FT
Photo: Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi and President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy (president.gov.ua)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is considering dismissing Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi, but only if he can find a suitable replacement, according to the Financial Times.
The newspaper notes that Syrskyi's leadership of the Ukrainian Armed Forces has sparked protests, which intensified after Zelenskyy dismissed Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov.
According to a senior Ukrainian presidential administration official, Zelenskyy is gathering military commanders this weekend to hear their assessment of the battlefield situation and interview candidates for the position of commander-in-chief.
A source told the FT that Zelenskyy is prepared to dismiss Syrskyi if he can find a commander who would ensure a smooth transition of power while maintaining strong defenses along the 1,200-kilometer front line.
Fedorov's dismissal
Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy decided to dismiss Mykhailo Fedorov as defense minister.
The reported reason for his dismissal was a lack of effective communication between the Defense Ministry and the military leadership, specifically Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi.
It was also previously reported that Fedorov had proposed that Zelenskyy replace Syrskyi.
Zelenskyy also said that Fedorov would remain "nearby," meaning he would stay on the team, although no details were provided about his future role or position.
Fedorov, meanwhile, said Zelenskyy had offered him a position as an adviser, but he declined.
The president initially wanted former Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko to replace Fedorov. However, the decision was reportedly opposed by both the Ukrainian public and lawmakers.
Zelenskyy therefore appointed Major General Yevhen Khmara, the acting head of the Security Service of Ukraine, as acting defense minister.
The president's decision to dismiss Fedorov sparked public outrage and criticism. Protests were held in several Ukrainian cities.
