Zelenskyy Meets Senior Commanders as General Staff Denies Syrskyi Removal Reports

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a series of meetings with senior military commanders on July 20, as Ukraine's General Staff rejected reports that Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi had been removed from his post.

This was reported by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on its official Telegram channel on the same day.

The General Staff stated that claims circulating on social media about Syrskyi's removal did not reflect reality. Syrskyi continues to carry out his duties as Commander-in-Chief, the statement noted.

It added that Lieutenant General Andrii Hnatov likewise remains in his post as Chief of the General Staff. The General Staff emphasized that dismissal from these positions occurs only by presidential decree.

The denial coincided with a series of meetings Zelenskyy reported holding with senior military commanders on the same day.

Throughout the day, Zelenskyy reported separate meetings with 1st Army Corps commander Denys Prokopenko, commander of the Azov Brigade, Commander of the Air Assault Forces Oleh Apostol, National Guard Brigade “Khartiia” commander Ihor Obolenskyi, 3rd Army Corps commander Andrii Biletskyi, Ground Forces commander Mykhailo Drapatyi, and military official Volodymyr Horbatiuk.

The president stated the discussions focused on Ukraine’s defense strategy, frontline developments, coordination across the Defense Forces, and accelerating the implementation of agreements with international partners on military supplies.

Zelenskyy noted a report from Andrii Biletskyi on the situation along his sector of the front and Ukraine's prospects there.

He thanked Ihor Obolienskyi for the development of "Khartia" and named the wide use of drones of all types a key priority. The president also acknowledged a report from Oleh Apostol, crediting the Air Assault Forces with delivering results and assessing key threats.

Calls for Syrskyi's dismissal have run through nationwide protests that began on July 16, after Mykhailo Fedorov's departure as defense minister during a government reshuffle. The rallies grew over consecutive evenings, with more than 5,000 people gathering on Ivan Franko Square in central Kyiv on July 17 and demonstrations spreading to Lviv, Kharkiv, Odesa, Dnipro, Mykolaiv, and other cities, alongside solidarity actions in London, Prague, Vienna, Brussels, and Sydney.

Protesters chanted "Fedorov is Ukraine's defense minister" and "Syrskyi out," demanding Fedorov's reinstatement as Minister of Defense and continued military reform focused on drones and reduced reliance on manpower.

The reshuffle followed the resignation of Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko's cabinet, after which Serhii Koretskyi became prime minister, and Yevhenii Khmara was appointed acting defense minister.

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