Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is reportedly holding consultations over the weekend and considering dismissing army chief Oleksandr Syrsky, amid the deepening security leadership crisis, according to the Financial Times. The report notes that Zelenskyy dismissed Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov this week, who claimed Syrsky issued an ultimatum demanding his dismissal.
The Financial Times reported on Saturday that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is holding consultations over the weekend and considering dismissing army chief Oleksandr Syrsky, amid a severe security leadership crisis. The report, as carried by The Zioneer, notes that the crisis follows the dismissal of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov earlier this week.
The report builds on earlier reporting by The Zioneer at 17:28 Jerusalem time, which first detailed the Financial Times story. Fedorov, whom Zelenskyy dismissed earlier this week, has claimed that Syrsky issued an ultimatum demanding his firing. The dismissal of the young and popular defense minister triggered mass protests across Ukraine, as The Zioneer reported on Thursday (July 16).
The crisis has exposed deep rifts within Ukraine's wartime leadership. Zelenskyy's decision to dismiss Fedorov, a key figure in the military's technological modernization, has drawn criticism from Ukrainian politicians and allies, as The Zioneer noted in an analysis on Friday. The current report suggests that Zelenskyy is now weighing the removal of the top military commander, which could further destabilize the chain of command.
It remains unclear whether Zelenskyy will proceed with the dismissal, and Syrsky's position has not been officially commented on by the presidential office. The Financial Times report is based on unnamed sources, and the situation is developing.
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