Zelensky sacks Ukraine's top army commander after days of protests

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has sacked the country's commander-in-chief, Oleksandr Syrskyi.

His dismissal comes just days after the removal of popular Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov - a move that triggered street protests across the country. Syrskyi was replaced by Mykhailo Drapatyi.

Initial rumours that the end of Fedorov's tenure was related to a conflict between him and Syrskyi were soon confirmed.

Fedorov, 35, has been widely praised for energising the ministry and transforming the armed forces, as well as heading a drive against corruption.

Syrskyi, 60, is seen by many in Ukraine as a Soviet-school commander reluctant to implement radical changes in the army.

In a post on social media late on Tuesday, Zelensky thanked Syrskyi for his role in successfully defending the capital Kyiv during the first days of the Russian full-scale invasion in 2022, and other military campaigns.

Drapatyi, the now former commander of Ukraine's Joint Forces, is a popular, battle-hardened general.

"All decisions will be formalised tomorrow," Zelensky wrote.

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