Ukraine overhauls its military top brass for the fight against Russia

Ukraine pressed ahead with its defence against Russia's invasion on Wednesday under new military leadership after President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed the country's commander-in-chief following mounting public pressure.

The leadership overhaul came after a week of political turmoil sparked by Zelensky's broader government reshuffle, which also saw Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov removed from office. The changes were intended to restore stability after public disagreements between senior military and government officials overshadowed Ukraine's war effort.

Major General Mykhailo Drapatyi, 43, was appointed as the new commander-in-chief. Part of a younger generation of Ukrainian military leaders, Drapatyi gained prominence during Russia's seizure and illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014.

Zelensky said Drapatyi and other senior commanders had been tasked with presenting an updated defence strategy focused on accelerating military reforms, improving weapons and drone deliveries, strengthening air defences and refining Ukraine's mobilisation plans.

Fedorov's future remains uncertain

Zelensky met separately on Tuesday with outgoing Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, a 35-year-old technology entrepreneur credited with rapidly expanding Ukraine's drone capabilities, which have played a key role on the battlefield.

Fedorov had clashed with outgoing commander-in-chief Gen Oleksandr Syrskyi, a Soviet-trained military veteran, over the pace of military reforms.

His dismissal triggered street protests in Kyiv and other cities, with demonstrators demanding his reinstatement and calling for Syrskyi's removal, whom many viewed as representing the military establishment.

Zelensky said he had offered Fedorov another senior government role to help coordinate Ukraine's technology sector, though it remains unclear whether he will accept the position.

Following his dismissal, Fedorov said he had received job offers from several international defence technology companies.

He welcomed Drapatyi's appointment, describing it as "a new hope in the fight of free people for freedom and justice" and "a voice for change that could not go unheard".

Before leaving office, Fedorov had publicly criticised Syrskyi, accusing him of obstructing military reforms and arguing that new leadership was essential for Ukraine's continued resistance against Russia.

Outgoing commander defends record

In a statement on Wednesday, Syrskyi defended his tenure, claiming Ukrainian forces had recaptured 743 square kilometres of Russian-occupied territory this year.

He said he was handing over an army capable of both defending its positions and conducting offensive operations, although the claim could not be independently verified.

Fedorov later thanked Syrskyi for his role in defending the Kyiv region during Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022 and for leading the Kharkiv counteroffensive later that year.

However, he said Ukraine now needed to "move even faster and write new chapters, correcting all previous mistakes".

The political crisis began last week when Zelensky replaced his prime minister and removed Fedorov after only six months as defence minister.

The move prompted thousands of protesters to take to the streets, accusing the president of siding with the military old guard at the expense of a key reformer.

Russia and Ukraine continue long-range attacks

The leadership changes came as both sides continued exchanging long-range strikes.

Ukraine launched overnight drone attacks on two warehouses belonging to Russian online retailer Wildberries in the southern Krasnodar and Stavropol regions, according to company founder Tatyana Kim and Russian officials.

The strikes followed attacks four days earlier on Wildberries facilities near Moscow and in the Tambov region, which Russian officials said killed eight people and injured dozens.

Without naming the sites, Zelensky said the facilities had been used to supply sanctioned components for the production of drones and navigation equipment.

Meanwhile, Russia launched four missiles and 216 long-range drones at Ukraine overnight, according to the Ukrainian Air Force.

In Ukraine's southern Odesa region, a Russian drone struck a two-storey residential building, killing a woman, regional governor Oleh Kiper said.