"I have decided that the new commander of Ukraine's armed forces will be Mykhailo Drapatyi," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on 21/7, referring to the current commander of the Joint Command.

"I am grateful to Oleksandr Syrsky and all our soldiers for Ukraine's strong positions on the front lines," he added.

General Drapatyi thanked President Zelensky following his appointment. "Serving Ukraine has always been an honor for me," he emphasized.

Former Ukrainian defense minister Mykhailo Fedorov welcomed President Zelensky's decision, stating it would bring "new hope" in the war with Russia. "This is a fresh breeze and new hope in the struggle of free people for justice and freedom," he said.

Syrsky visits a front-line position in a photo released in 2024. *AFP*

General Syrsky, 60, who assumed the position of commander of Ukraine's armed forces in 2024, is one of the country's most experienced commanders. He led the defense efforts of Kiev in the initial stages of the conflict.

General Syrsky's future came into question last week when President Zelensky dismissed Fedorov, a popular figure, only six months after appointing him defense minister.

Fedorov, 35, who had disagreements with the leadership over his military modernization efforts, accused General Syrsky of obstructing his ideas and pressuring President Zelensky to remove the defense minister. General Syrsky denied the accusations.

Fedorov's dismissal prompted thousands to protest across Ukraine. Many expressed frustration at the lack of military reform and called for General Syrsky's removal.

Analysts told AFP news agency that General Syrsky lacked the prestige or political ambition to threaten President Zelensky's position, unlike his popular predecessor Valery Zaluzhny, who was dismissed in 2024.

General Syrsky was criticized for disregarding human losses and delaying reforms in defense procurement, equipment, and troop mobilization, according to AFP.

Fedorov speaks to reporters in Kiev on 16/7. *AP*

These tensions exposed rare disagreements within Ukraine's military and political leadership, at a time when Kiev appeared to be in its strongest position in months.

Ukraine's armed forces have recently slowed Russia's advances, and Kiev's long-range attacks on enemy oil refineries have also caused losses for Moscow.

General Drapatyi, 43, previously served as commander of Ukraine's ground forces and fought against Russian-backed separatists in the Donbass region. He is well-known in Ukraine for a video showing him driving an armored vehicle through a separatist checkpoint in Mariupol in 2014.

General Drapatyi is the third person to assume the position of commander of Ukraine's armed forces since the conflict with Russia erupted in early 2022.

Pham Giang (According to AFP, Ukrainska Pravda, Kyiv Independent)