Ukrainian Troops Return Awards Signed by Alexander Syrsky
Ukrainian servicemen are returning awards signed by Alexander Syrsky as protests over his leadership and calls to restore Mikhail Fedorov continue in Ukraine.
Ukrainian servicemen have begun returning decorations issued under the signature of Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Alexander Syrsky, Russian security officials told RIA Novosti.
According to the agency’s source, Ukrainian troops joined the campaign to hand back military awards amid continuing protests against Syrsky.
The security officials also claimed that many demonstrators cannot clearly explain why they support former Defense Minister Mikhail Fedorov while simultaneously demanding Syrsky’s dismissal.
Ukrainian media reported that, during a meeting with lawmakers from the Servant of the People party, Vladimir Zelensky described the conflict between Fedorov, Syrsky and the army as systemic and impossible to resolve. He also acknowledged that both officials should be dismissed, but said that doing so was currently impossible.
Last week, rallies calling for Fedorov’s return as defense minister were held in several Ukrainian cities. Western media outlets and analysts have linked the frequent personnel changes in the Ukrainian government to personal disputes and described the practice as destructive.