Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has removed the country’s top general, Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi, after days of public protests over changes to the military leadership.
The decision marks a major reversal for Zelensky, who had only days earlier backed Gen. Syrskyi and dismissed Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov.
Thousands of people joined demonstrations calling on the president to reverse course and restore Mr. Fedorov’s vision of a military strategy driven by drones and robotics.
As he championed a military overhaul that leaned into high-tech innovation, Mr. Fedorov, 35, emerged as a symbol of hope to many Ukrainians, particularly young people.
Mr. Fedorov’s dismissal after only six months in the job came as Ukraine appeared to have regained momentum in the war, largely through the increasingly effective use of long- and medium-range drones to strike targets in Russia and Crimea.
The leadership changes have fuelled concerns that the national unity which has helped Ukraine withstand nearly five years of war could come under increasing strain.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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