What Happened
Activists hold a portrait of Ukraine's Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi demanding his resignation during a rally against President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's decision to dismiss Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov after six months , in Kyiv, Ukraine, Saturday, July 18. Efrem Lukatsky/AP hide caption
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday fired Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi as commander-in-chief of Ukraine's armed forces following protests cities nationwide demanding his removal.
Zelenskyy appointed Mykhailo Drapatyi , according to a statement on social media. "Our shared — victory conditions pressure on Russia Russia toward peace," Zelenskyy said.
The Ukrainian leader decision after a series of meetings with military commanders. They began shortly after protests broke out demanding the reinstatement of former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, seen by demonstrators as a driver of military modernization, and the removal of Syrskyi, embodied the army's old, Soviet-style command culture.
Why It Matters
Zelenskyy thanked Syrskyi for his achievements in Ukraine's fight against Russia and praised defense operations in Kharkiv and Kursk. "I am grateful to Oleksandr Syrskyi warriors for Ukraine's strong front-line positions," he said. "I am grateful to Mykhailo Drapatyi for holding ."
On Tuesday, Zelenskyy separately met with Fedorov and offered called a respected position in government country's technology sector. 't clear if Fedorov accepted whether the latest moves would satisfy protesters streets.
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