Ukraine replaces top military commander

KIEV -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Tuesday that he has decided to replace the country's top military commander.

In a post on Telegram, Zelensky said Mykhailo Drapatyi would become the commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, replacing Oleksandr Syrsky.

Syrsky's dismissal was one of the demands of the recent protests in Kiev and other Ukrainian cities, which erupted after the removal of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov.

Syrsky had led the Ukrainian Armed Forces since February 2024.

Drapatyi previously served as the commander of Ukraine's Land Forces and the commander of the Joint Forces.