Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has dismissed the country's army commander-in-chief, Oleksandr Syrskyi, in a significant shake-up of the nation's military leadership. The move comes just days after the removal of popular Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, an event that triggered widespread street protests across Ukraine.

Initial speculation that Fedorov's departure was linked to a conflict with Syrskyi was later confirmed by the developments. Fedorov, 35, had garnered widespread praise for modernizing the armed forces and leading anti-corruption efforts. In contrast, Syrskyi, 60, was often perceived by many within Ukraine as a commander adhering to older, Soviet-era methods and resistant to implementing substantial changes within the army.

Replacing Syrskyi is Mykhailo Drapatyi, 43, a respected and battle-hardened general who is seen as a more modern and innovative leader. President Zelensky acknowledged Syrskyi's contributions in a social media video, thanking him for his military campaigns, notably the successful defense of Kyiv in the early days of Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022.

Zelensky also revealed that he had met with Fedorov and offered him a new, significant position within the government, though Fedorov's acceptance has not yet been confirmed. The decisions are expected to be formally ratified the following day. The appointment of Drapatyi, who is reportedly a close friend of Fedorov, may help to de-escalate the political tensions that have arisen over the past week.

Fedorov, who had only been appointed defense minister in January, had been lauded for his data-driven approach to improving frontline performance. Previously the minister of digital transformation, he played a key role from the invasion's outset by establishing the volunteer IT Army of Ukraine for cyber-attacks against Russia. He also spearheaded successful initiatives like the "Army of Drones" fundraising campaign and incorporated gamification elements into military operations.

The dismissal of Fedorov led to six days of significant public demonstrations, placing considerable pressure on President Zelensky to also remove Syrskyi. The appointment of Drapatyi, viewed as a younger and more progressive commander, appears to be Zelensky's response to this public outcry.

Mykhailo Fedorov congratulated Drapatyi on his new role, calling it a "new hope in the fight of free people for freedom and justice" and stating that "the voice of change cannot be ignored." Fedorov also reached out to Syrskyi, thanking him for the defense of the Kyiv region and other critical battles, while emphasizing the need for accelerated progress and correction of past errors.

For the time being, Yevhenii Khmara, a former senior official at Ukraine's Security Service (SBU), continues to serve as acting Defence Minister. President Zelensky has reportedly tasked Khmara and other officials with further responsibilities.