Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is reviewing candidates to replace Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrsky, with a list of 11 potential successors. The leading candidate is Joint Forces Commander Mykhailo Drapaty, Bloomberg reported, citing two sources familiar with the matter. According to one source, a decision could be made within days.
Other candidates include Air Assault Forces Commander Oleh Apostol and Deputy Chief of the General Staff Volodymyr Horbatyuk, Bloomberg reported. Ukrainska Pravda also named 3rd Army Corps Commander Andriy Biletsky and 1st National Guard Corps "Azov" Commander Denys Prokopenko. According to the outlet, Apostol is Syrsky's favorite, while Drapaty and Biletsky were recommended by dismissed Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov.
The discussion of Syrsky's possible dismissal comes amid the largest crisis in military leadership since Zelensky took office. On July 15, Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov announced he was leaving the post he had held since January 2026. His resignation sparked mass protests in Kyiv, Lviv, Odesa, and other cities. Fedorov attributed his departure to a conflict with Syrsky, accusing the commander-in-chief of blocking reforms and saying Syrsky had presented the president with an "ultimatum," demanding Fedorov's dismissal.
Zelensky confirmed he met with Drapaty on Monday, July 20, but did not mention plans to replace the commander-in-chief. Presidential aide Dmytro Lytvyn declined to comment. According to the Financial Times, Zelensky held a six-hour meeting with Fedorov and offered him a position on the National Security and Defense Council with expanded powers to oversee defense technology and attract investment. Fedorov refused, saying he would only return as defense minister.
Syrsky himself denies a conflict with Fedorov. On July 20, the commander-in-chief published an op-ed in which he apologized to the former minister and said he had not even been aware of the conflict. He responded to criticism about a lack of strategy and reluctance to "fight with drones," explaining that it is impossible to convert a million-strong army to drones in two months.
Ukrainian journalist Vitaliy Hlahola, citing sources in the Defense Ministry, reported that Syrsky's dismissal was to be officially announced on July 20. He later clarified that the dismissal had been postponed, interviews with candidates were underway, and a decision would be made within a week. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine denied the possibility of Syrsky's dismissal.