乌克兰总统泽连斯基在数天的大规模抗议后，宣布对国家军事领导层进行重大调整 [3][5]。泽连斯基先是解除了国防部长米哈伊洛·费多罗夫的职务，随后在压力下改变决定，周二免职武装部队总司令亚历山大·西尔斯基 [3][5][6]。
费多罗夫于今年1月被任命为国防部长，任职六个月期间乌克兰取得了一系列军事胜利 [1]。他因利用数据分析改进前线表现、创办"乌克兰IT军队"发起网络攻击并领导"无人机军队"募资活动而获得广泛赞誉 [5]。费多罗夫主张现代化军事改革，但与坚持传统指挥风格的西尔斯基发生政策冲突 [2]。
西尔斯基现年60岁，是乌克兰武装部队前总司令，苏联军事学院毕业 [2]。他因领导巴赫穆特防御战期间的高伤亡而获得"屠夫"的绰号 [2][3]。西尔斯基因被视为苏联学派指挥官、不愿实施军队激进改革而备受批评 [5]。在一次公开评论中，西尔斯基声称"我不能在两个月内将百万大军转变为无人机部队" [1]。他在离职前的告别声明中表示，乌克兰今年收复了超过700平方公里的领土 [6]。
费多罗夫被免职立即引发全国抗议 [2]。军人德米特罗·科济亚丁斯基在社交媒体上宣称，若"到7月24日西尔斯基未被解职、费多罗夫未被提名为国防部长"，将启动"无限期全国抗议" [1]。空军副司令因抗议辞职，警告此举将削弱乌克兰的防空能力 [2][3]。抗议在基辅及全国其他城市持续6天，抗议者计划周五在基辅伊万·弗兰克广场继续集会 [5][6]。
43岁的米哈伊洛·德拉帕蒂被任命为新的陆军总司令 [3][5]。德拉帕蒂被认为是改革派，与费多罗夫关系密切，支持现代化军队技术 [4][5]。尤夫赫尼·赫马拉被任命为新国防部长 [4][5][6]。主要陆军将领伊戈尔·斯基比尤克将取代安德里·赫纳托夫担任总参谋长 [6]。
泽连斯基为费多罗夫提供了"政府内的显著职位" [4]，但费多罗夫拒绝了副总理职位，坚持要求恢复防长职位 [6]。泽连斯基在视频中表示已向费多罗夫提供"政权内的体面职位"，但未说明其是否接受 [5]。泽连斯基表示仍在研究"乌克兰国防战略需要做出何种调整"，并称"乌克兰必须以最强状态进入8月" [1]。他也对西尔斯基的成就表示感谢，称"我们的共同愿望就是一个——战胜敌人，并在前线和对俄罗斯的压力上创造条件，迫使俄罗斯走向和平" [3]。
普京发言人德米特里·佩斯科夫表示德拉帕蒂的任命不会改变前线局势 [6]。
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has dismissed military commander Alexander Syrskyi and appointed Mykhailo Drapatyi as the new armed forces commander [3][5], bringing an abrupt end to a political crisis triggered by the earlier removal of Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov [5].
The turmoil began when Zelenskyy fired Fedorov, a 35-year-old tech innovator who had served as defence minister for six months [2]. During his tenure, Ukraine achieved a series of military victories [1]. Fedorov had championed modernization efforts, including data-driven strategies to improve frontline performance, the establishment of the "Ukrainian IT Army" for cyber operations, and leadership of drone-fundraising initiatives [5]. His removal sparked massive protests across multiple Ukrainian cities over six days, with demonstrators demanding his reinstatement and Syrskyi's removal [5].
The conflict reflected a fundamental divide over military strategy. Fedorov, representing a reformist approach to modernization, clashed with Syrskyi, a 60-year-old commander viewed as representing Soviet-era command traditions [2]. Syrskyi faced criticism for his reluctance to implement radical military reforms [5] and earned the nickname "Butcher" for heavy casualties during the defense of Bakhmut [2][3].
In response to the escalating pressure, Zelenskyy reversed course on Tuesday, dismissing Syrskyi and appointing the 43-year-old Drapatyi, considered a younger, more innovative military leader and close ally of Fedorov [5]. The president also appointed Yevhenii Khmara as acting defence minister [4][5].
Zelenskyy offered Fedorov a "prominent position" within the government to ease the crisis [4][5]. However, Fedorov rejected the offer of deputy prime minister, insisting on restoration to his defence ministry role [6]. In a video statement, Zelenskyy said he had offered Fedorov "a decent position in the government," though it remained unclear whether Fedorov would accept [5].
Syrskyi stated in a farewell message that Ukraine had reclaimed over 700 square kilometers of territory this year [6]. Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for Syrskyi's contributions while emphasizing the need for achieving "victory over the enemy" [3].
The dismissals also involved broader restructuring. Igor Skybiyuk will replace Andrii Hnatov as chief of the general staff [6]. An air force deputy commander resigned in protest over Fedorov's initial removal, warning the move would weaken Ukraine's air defenses [3].
Veterans and protesters had set a deadline demanding action by Friday [4][6], with plans to hold indefinite nationwide demonstrations in the capital's Ivan Franko Square if their demands were not met [6].