FT: Zelenskyy weighs replacing Ukraine’s army chief amid military leadership crisis

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is considering replacing Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrsky as he seeks to resolve a growing crisis over the country’s military leadership, according to a senior administration official speaking to the Financial Times.

Zelenskyy is expected to meet military commanders this weekend to assess the battlefield situation and consider candidates to lead the armed forces. The official said the president could remove Syrsky if a successor could ensure a smooth transition while maintaining Ukraine’s defence along the 1,200-kilometre front line.

The possibility of Syrsky’s dismissal emerged after Zelenskyy fired Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, who said Syrsky had demanded his removal. The move was followed by protests in Kyiv and other cities, with demonstrators chanting “Syrsky out!”

Fedorov had accused Syrsky of blocking defence reforms and said Ukraine needed a change in its top military leadership. The two reportedly disagreed over military strategy, with Fedorov advocating greater reliance on drones and automation, while Syrsky has maintained a more traditional approach focused on infantry and artillery.

Syrsky, who became Ukraine’s top military commander in February 2024, has not publicly responded to the allegations.

Zelenskyy said this week that relations between Fedorov and Syrsky had deteriorated so severely that they could communicate only through him.

The leadership dispute comes as Ukraine continues its war against Russia and faces pressure to adapt its military strategy to changing battlefield conditions.

By Sabina Mammadli