---
title: "Change at the Top: Zelenskyy Dismisses Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi"
description: "Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a decree dismissing Oleksandr Syrskyi from the post of Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The decision was the result of a prolonged conflict with former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. 🇺🇦🔫"
date: 2026-07-22T12:02:00.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/change-at-the-top-zelenskyy-dismisses-commander-in-chief-syrskyi
tags: [oleksandr-syrsky, vladimir-zevensky, mikhail-fedorov, ukraine-military, armed-forces-of-ukraine]
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Change at the Top: Zelenskyy Dismisses Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi

![Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi in military uniform at a press conference, with Ukraine’s coat of arms and Armed Forces symbol in background; central figure in news about dismissal of Commander-in-Chief](https://xab.info/media/2026/07/22/zeleny-uvolnil-glavkomando-syrskogo/zeleny-uvolnil-glavkomando-syrskogo-1.webp)

Major personnel changes have occurred within the Ukrainian military establishment. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a decree dismissing Oleksandr Syrskyi from the position of Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The document has already been published on the official website of the head of state, confirming the finality of the decision.

### The End of the Conflict in the Defense Block

The decision to dismiss the Commander-in-Chief marked the logical conclusion of a tense period within the country's defense sector. A week ago, Zelenskyy initiated a reshuffle of the Cabinet of Ministers, which triggered a wave of daily protests outside the President's Office. The central event of that week was the dismissal of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov.

The cause of these personnel "purges" was a sharp conflict between the minister and the Commander-in-Chief. Fedorov himself, speaking at a briefing after his resignation, confirmed that working with Syrskyi had become impossible. According to him, he had repeatedly suggested to the President that the question of replacing the army commander be considered.

### Oleksandr Syrskyi's Position

Oleksandr Syrskyi himself, whose career as Commander-in-Chief has come to an end, recently published a column shedding light on the situation. In the article, he stated that he was unaware of the conflict with Fedorov and apologized to the former minister.

Syrskyi also emphasized the priorities of his service: "I am not fighting the ministry. I am fighting Russia... My job is war. Strategy, the front, people." These words served as a kind of summary of his tenure in office.

### History of Appointment

Oleksandr Syrskyi held the post of Commander-in-Chief since February 2024. It was then that he replaced Valerii Zaluzhnyi in this position, beginning a new stage in the leadership of the Ukrainian army. Now, however, his powers have been terminated, and the Ukrainian army enters a new period with new command.