EXPLAINER
A number of Ukrainian and Russian generals have been fired from their militaries over the course of the warfare in Ukraine.
Printed On 22 Jul 2026
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has sacked his navy chief Oleksandr Syrskii within the newest reshuffle within the nation’s defence equipment after days of protests following the ouster of the defence minister.
Here’s a nearer take a look at what occurred within the newest occasion, alongside all the highest shakeups in Ukraine and Russia over their four-year warfare.
Who was Oleksandr Syrskii?
Syrskii, 60, was born in Soviet Russia, in July 1965 and studied at a Crimson Military academy in Moscow.
Within the Nineteen Eighties, he was deployed to Ukraine, then a part of the Soviet Union. After this, he remained in Ukraine and studied on the Nationwide Defence College of Ukraine in Kyiv, becoming a member of the ranks of the newly unbiased Ukrainian military.
In 2014, he commanded Ukrainian troops preventing a Moscow-backed armed rise up within the jap Donetsk area.
In 2019, he turned head of Ukraine’s land forces and led the nation into warfare when Russia invaded in February 2022. Within the early months of the warfare, he was named a “Hero of Ukraine”, the nation’s highest honour, due to his profitable defence of Kyiv.
Syrskii is credited with planning Ukraine’s counteroffensive round Kharkiv from July to September 2022, which turned certainly one of Kyiv’s largest victories and led to the recapture of the strategically important Kupiansk and Izyum cities.
What’s the context for Syrskii’s elimination?
The elimination got here after six days of protests within the capital, Kyiv, brought on by the elimination of Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, who had beforehand clashed with Syrskii.
Fedorov, who was seen by many as pivotal to the warfare effort, was faraway from his submit final week, resulting in widespread anger throughout Ukraine. Earlier than his dismissal, the previous defence minister had accused Syrskii of blocking his reform efforts.
Instead of Syrskii, Zelenskyy has appointed Mykhailo Drapatyi to steer the navy.
“I’m grateful to Oleksandr Syrskyi and to each certainly one of our warriors for Ukraine’s robust front-line positions,” Zelenskyy stated in a press release on social media. “I’m grateful to Mykhailo Drapatyi for holding that very same view.”
“Our shared want is one – victory over the enemy and situations on the entrance and in stress on Russia that will power Russia towards peace,” he added.
Zelenskyy emphasised the necessity to deal with friction inside the navy management and resolve persistent points regarding mobilisation and front-line administration.
Zelenskyy stated Tuesday’s choice to nominate Drapatyi was made to “reset” the continued defence in opposition to Russia’s invading troops.
Which different generals has Ukraine fired through the warfare?
Greater than 10 Ukrainian generals have been fired from their positions over the course of the warfare.
Listed below are a number of the most main cases:
- In September 2023, Zelenskyy eliminated his Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov over corruption allegations.
- In February 2024, Zelenskyy dismissed Valerii Zaluzhnyi from his place as navy commander-in-chief. Zelenskyy appointed Syrskii to take his place.
- In June 2024, Zelenskyy launched Andrii Hnatov as the brand new commander of the Joint Forces Command, changing Yuriy Sodol.
What about Russia?
Over the four-year warfare, which started in February 2022, Russia has had its justifiable share of reshuffling in its personal navy. Listed below are some main cases:
- In August 2022, Vice Admiral Igor Osipov, who commanded the Black Sea Fleet, was fired. He was first suspended after the fleet’s flagship Moskva was sunk in April 2022.
- In July 2023, Moscow’s navy management dismissed Main-Normal Ivan Popov, commander-in-chief of Russia’s 58th Mixed Arms Military stationed in southern Ukraine, over his issues for troops preventing with out relaxation and criticism of Russian battlefield strategy.
- In August 2023, Russia removed Sergey Surovikin, nicknamed “Normal Armageddon”, from his submit as commander of Russia’s Aerospace Forces. Surovikin was linked to the Wagner mercenary group and was dismissed two months after its brief‑lived mutiny in opposition to Russia’s navy management.
