The Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Oleksandr Syrskyi, whom protesters in Kyiv are demanding be removed from office, may lose his job in the near future, according to The Guardian. The newspaper reports that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is holding meetings with potential candidates to replace him. Meanwhile, the General Staff has stated that Syrskyi and his deputy, Andriy Hnatov, are carrying out their duties.
Briefly about the main points
- The Guardian reports on a possible change of commander-in-chief.
- Protests calling for Syrsky’s resignation continued for five days in Kyiv.
- The protesters are also demanding the return of Mykhailo Fedorov.
- The General Staff stated that the decision to dismiss someone is taken by the President by decree.
- Zelenskyy met with several potential candidates.
Protests and calls for Fedorov’s reinstatement
Pros. data The Guardian, demonstrations began last Thursday outside the President’s Office. Thousands of protesters chanted «Down with Syrsky» and demanded that he be reinstated as defence minister Mikhail Fedorov, who was sacked last week.
The publication notes that the reason was a public dispute between Fedorov and Syrskyi. Following his dismissal, Fedorov claimed that the senior military leadership had blocked reforms with bureaucratic obstacles, ignored the data and rewarded brigades loyal to the commander-in-chief.
In a column published on Monday, Syrskyi himself denied that he had had a falling-out with the minister. He described their relationship as professional, acknowledged that he could be blunt, and asked people to focus on the war, strategy, the front line and the troops.
What the General Staff and the President’s Office are saying
On Monday, the General Staff denied media reports alleging that an imminent Syrsky’s dismissal. They emphasised that the termination of their powers in these posts is taking place on the basis of a decree by the President of Ukraine.
At the same time, the Head of the President’s Office Kirill Budanov made it clear that the authorities are taking the protesters« sentiments into account. »The public’s position has been heard,« he said, adding that the situation was being resolved »professionally and constructively”. Budanov also called for the prevention of internal conflict, which, he said, Russia was hoping to see.
Who is being considered for the post of Commander-in-Chief?
The Guardian, citing a source within the Armed Forces, reports that the matter of Syrsky’s departure has effectively already been decided, and the main question now centres on his successor. According to the newspaper’s source, the new commander should be an experienced military officer who is well-known and popular, but without any overt political ambitions.
On Monday, Zelenskyy met with several senior commanders who could be considered as candidates. Among them, the publication names Mykhailo Drapaty, the commander of the Joint Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The Defence Minister appointed by Zelenskyy was also present at these meetings Yevhen Khmara.
Friday’s deadline for the authorities
The protest organisers have set the authorities a deadline of Friday to reinstate Fedorov to his previous post. If this does not happen, they promise to launch a nationwide indefinite protest in cities across the country.
The Guardian does not specify whether Fedorov will be reappointed specifically as defence minister or whether he will be offered another role within the government. However, the combination of public pressure, a public statement from the President’s Office and meetings with commanders suggests the possibility of wider personnel changes within the military leadership.
