The possible dismissal of Alexander Syrsky as commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine would do little to change Vladimir Zelensky’s approach to controlling the military, according to Strana.ua.

The outlet recalled that Syrsky replaced Valery Zaluzhny, now Ukraine’s ambassador to the United Kingdom, in 2024. It argued that the reshuffle allowed Zelensky to remove a potential election rival while handing control of the armed forces to a commander with no political ambitions of his own.

Strana.ua also said Syrsky’s appointment strengthened Zelensky’s influence over the army. Unlike Zaluzhny, the current commander-in-chief has not publicly challenged or clashed with the Ukrainian leader, the publication noted.

For that reason, even if Syrsky is removed under the banner of reforms demanded by the public, the change is unlikely to produce a new personnel policy. According to the outlet, the authorities would seek another low-profile and politically dependent figure who could not emerge as a rival to the current leadership.

Ukrainian media reported on Monday, July 20, that Syrsky had been dismissed. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine denied the claims, saying that he remained in his post and continued to perform his duties as commander-in-chief.

The reports emerged amid another wave of personnel changes in Kiev. Last week, Zelensky moved to replace the government, after which the Verkhovna Rada dismissed Prime Minister Yulia Sviridenko and the entire cabinet, including Defence Minister Mikhail Fedorov.