New Delhi, July 22 -- demanding not Syrskyi's removal, which they received, but the reinstatement of the defense minister whose firing had started the demonstrations in the first place.

his protesters' stated secondary demand - did not produce the gratitude the government appeared to expect.

In his dismissal statement, Zelenskyy credited Syrskyi with three of Ukraine's most consequential military operations: the defense of Kyiv in the war's opening weeks, the Kharkiv counteroffensive of 2022, and the Kursk incursion of 2024. He said the appointment of Drapatyi was intended to "reset" Ukraine's military command for the next phase of the Russian operation. Also announced Monday was Major General Ihor Skybyuk as the new chief of Ukraine's ...