Zelensky Reviews 11 Candidates to Replace Syrsky as Drapatyi Emerges Front-Runner
Updated
Updated · Meduza · Jul 20
Zelensky Reviews 11 Candidates to Replace Syrsky as Drapatyi Emerges Front-Runner
3 articles · Updated · Meduza · Jul 20
Summary
11 candidates are under review to replace Ukraine’s commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrsky, with Joint Forces commander Mykhailo Drapatyi seen by Bloomberg and Ukrainian outlets as the leading contender.
The shortlist grew out of the fallout from Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov’s July 15 dismissal, which he linked to a clash with Syrsky and which pushed Zelensky to reconsider a commander he had previously kept in place.
Oleh Apostol, Volodymyr Horbatiuk, Andriy Biletsky and Denys Prokopenko are also named as contenders; Ukrainska Pravda and Liga.net say Apostol is Syrsky’s preferred choice.
Fedorov’s removal has fueled continuing protests in Kyiv, where demonstrators have demanded Syrsky’s ouster and broader military reform.
The Financial Times says Zelensky’s team is still trying to bring Fedorov back into government, but he will return only as defense minister — a post already given to former security chief Yevhen Khmara.
With soldiers protesting their own commander, is Ukraine's greatest threat now emerging from within?
As drones dominate the battlefield, can Ukraine win by siding with a general from a past era of warfare?
Inside Ukraine’s 2026 Leadership Crisis: The Dismissal of Defense Minister Fedorov and Its Impact on Military Reform, Morale, and International Support
Overview
In July 2026, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy triggered a major political crisis in Ukraine by dismissing Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov during a sweeping cabinet reshuffle. Fedorov, known for transforming Ukraine into a global tech leader and advancing innovative drone technology, quickly defended his record on social media, highlighting his fight against military corruption. His removal sparked nationwide debate and public protests, exposing a deep divide between reformist and traditionalist factions within Ukraine’s leadership. This high-profile dismissal not only intensified scrutiny of wartime governance but also raised concerns about military morale, unity, and the country’s international standing.