Ukraine President Zelenskiy has dismissed Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Sersky
and appointed Joint Forces commander Mykhailo Drlapati as his replacement, the
Kyiv Independent reports. The move comes amid large protests across Kyiv and
other cities demanding Sersky’s removal and the reinstatement of popular
reformist Defence Minister Fedorov, whom Zelenskiy sacked last week. Fedorov
said at a post-dismissal press conference that Sersky had issued Zelenskiy an
ultimatum. Tensions between Fedorov and Sersky, reflecting divergent approaches
to military leadership and organisation — Sersky favouring a highly centralised,
Soviet-style command — were long-running. MPs, veterans and protesters
criticised the decision, warning that removing Fedorov could undermine Defence
Ministry reforms and raise concerns about military leadership.
