Zelensky fired Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi as Ukraine's military commander-in-chief on Tuesday following days of nationwide protests demanding his removal, and named experienced field commander Mykhailo Drapatyi as his replacement. The dismissal caps a broader military leadership crisis after the recent firing of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, both moves driven by public pressure over military strategy decisions. Drapatyi successfully organized Kharkiv's defense against Russian counteroffensive operations in 2024, making him a credible choice to stabilize the command structure during ongoing conflict with Russia.