FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
Protests in Kiev against General Oleksandr Syrskyi are increasing, while media reports that President Volodymyr Zelensky is considering a reorganization of the military leadership.
The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskyi, is expected to step down amid growing pressure on President Volodymyr Zelensky, following protests that have erupted in Kiev and demands for changes in the leadership of the army.
For five days, hundreds of protesters have gathered in front of the presidential office chanting "Syrskyi out," while some of them also carried cheese graters, a play on words with the general's surname, which in Ukrainian sounds like the word "cheese."
Ukraine's General Staff on Monday denied reports that Syrskyi would be dismissed soon. An official statement stressed that he and his deputy, Andriy Hnatov, continue to perform their duties and that any dismissal can only be made by presidential decree.
However, statements by the head of the presidential administration and the head of military intelligence, Kyrylo Budanov, have fueled speculation about imminent changes. Budanov said that "the public's voice has been heard" and that the situation is being resolved professionally and constructively, calling on citizens to remain calm.
" The enemy is closely following every internal dispute and expects us to start fighting among ourselves. The work is continuing and the results will come ," he declared.
The protests began last week after Zelensky fired Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, a young and popular figure. Only 35 years old, Fedorov was considered a reformer and was praised for modernizing the military in recent months.
Zelensky himself admitted that relations between Fedorov and Syrsky had deteriorated. After leaving office, the former minister accused the army commander of obstructing reforms through bureaucracy, ignoring analysis and operational data, and favoring brigades that were personally loyal to him.
According to a source cited by The Guardian, the decision on Syrsky's future has been practically made.
" His fate is decided. The only question is who will replace him. The successor should be a well-known and popular figure, but without overt political ambitions, so as not to create a new rival for the president. It should be an experienced military man, who works closely with Zelensky ," the source said.
If confirmed, Syrsky's departure would constitute one of the most significant changes in Ukraine's military leadership since the beginning of the Russian invasion.
Lini një Përgjigje