Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has signed a decree dismissing Oleksandr Syrsky from his post as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.
The move comes against a backdrop of intense domestic political pressure, following large-scale protests that erupted across several Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv, after the dismissal of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov.
The rapid succession of high-level military and defense appointments signals a significant shift in Ukraine's wartime leadership structure.
Syrsky, a central figure in the country's defense strategy, was removed as public backlash mounted against the government's recent personnel changes.
The protests, which broke out on Thursday morning, reflected widespread dissatisfaction with the removal of Fedorov, a popular minister, and have now culminated in the ousting of the army's top commander.
This development adds to the uncertainty surrounding Ukraine's command chain at a critical juncture in the conflict.