Zelensky reviews 11 candidates to replace Ukraine’s commander

Key Points:

• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is reviewing 11 candidates to replace Oleksandr Syrsky as commander-in-chief of Ukraine’s armed forces, with Mykhailo Drapatyi, commander of Ukraine’s Joint Forces, emerging as the leading contender.
• Other notable candidates include Oleh Apostol, commander of the Airborne Assault Forces, and Volodymyr Horbatiuk, deputy chief of the General Staff, with Apostol reportedly being Syrsky’s preferred successor.
• The recently dismissed Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov recommended Drapatyi and Andriy Biletsky for the post, while most military sources currently favor Drapatyi’s appointment.
• Fedorov’s dismissal on July 15, attributed by him to a conflict with Syrsky, sparked ongoing protests and criticism, although Syrsky denies any conflict with the former defense minister.
• Zelensky is now considering whether to also dismiss Syrsky, despite previously refusing to do so, amid the ongoing leadership shakeup within Ukraine’s military command.