Ukraine's Military Leadership Crisis as Protests Erupt Over Defence Changes
By Olena Harmash
Mounting Discontent and Protests Over Defence Leadership
KYIV, July 20 (Reuters) - President Volodymyr Zelenskiy met some of Ukraine’s top military commanders on Monday to try to ease growing discontent with the defence leadership that has triggered the largest street protests since Russia's invasion in 2022.
Public Outcry Following Ministerial Changes
Thousands of people in Kyiv and other cities took to the streets for several days in a row, defying martial law, to protest against last week's removal of young reformer Mykhailo Fedorov as defence minister and to demand the dismissal of Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi.
Divisions Within Defence Leadership
The protests, led by young people, also exposed deep divisions in the defence leadership on how to stop Russia's battlefield advances, as the war's overall momentum has swung in Kyiv's favour.
Criticism of Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi
Syrskyi, 60, faces criticism from civil society, soldiers and lawmakers for his Soviet-style command culture and high casualty tactics.
Contenders for Top Army Job
Zelenskiy met five generals and one colonel, viewed by political analysts as potential replacements for Syrskyi, one after another to discuss the battlefield situation as fighting rages along more than 1,200 kilometres (746 miles) of the frontline.
The Next Generation of Military Leaders
The six most well-known and respected military commanders, including Commander of the Joint Forces Mykhailo Drapatyi and Deputy Chief of the General Staff Volodymyr Horbatyuk, represent a younger generation of Ukrainian officers whose careers were shaped in combat against Russian troops.
Oleh Apostol, commander of the air assault forces, and commanders of the three army corps - Andriy Biletsky, Ihor Obolenskyi, and Denys Prokopenko also met Zelenskiy, who posted pictures from his study following each meeting.
Calls for Unity and Public Sentiment
Zelenskiy's chief of staff, Kyrylo Budanov, called for unity and restraint in the wake of the protests, promising a constructive response.
"The public’s views have been heard," he said. "Work is underway. Results will follow."
Polls and Political Maneuvering
A poll from Gradus research company showed that 61% of Ukrainians were against the dismissal of Fedorov.
Zelenskiy said he spoke with Fedorov, 35, "at length" over the weekend.
A source close to Fedorov told Reuters that he had discussed “other roles” with Zelenskiy, but that he was only ready to return as defence minister. Ukrainian media reported that Fedorov had been offered roles overseeing military technology and innovation.
Protesters' Demands and Next Steps
Dmytro Koziatynskyi, a war veteran and one of the organisers of the protests, called on supporters to launch a "general, indefinite protest" unless Syrskyi is removed and Fedorov reappointed as defence minister by July 24.
(Additional reporting by Max Hunder, Yuliia Dysa, editing by Andrei Khalip)
