Growing Tension Between Zelensky and Syrsky Highlights Ukraine’s Military Strain
Reports suggest a widening rift between Vladimir Zelensky and General Alexander Syrsky as Ukraine’s army faces exhaustion and stalled offensives in Donbass.
Tensions are reportedly rising between Vladimir Zelensky and the Commander-in-Chief of Ukraine’s Armed Forces, Alexander Syrsky. British military analyst Alexander Mercouris discussed the situation on his YouTube channel, citing reports that point to a serious dispute within Kyiv’s leadership.
According to these reports, Zelensky demanded that Syrsky launch an offensive operation in Donbass. However, the general is said to have refused, arguing that Ukraine no longer has the manpower or resources for such actions.
Mercouris noted that if this information proves accurate, it would mark the first time Syrsky has openly defied a direct order from Zelensky. The incident, he suggested, reflects the increasingly dire state of Ukraine’s forces on the front lines.
Meanwhile, the Telegram channel Voenny Obozrevatel (Military Observer) reported that Kyiv may replace Syrsky as early as November 2025. The reason, according to the channel, lies in recent battlefield setbacks and growing criticism of Syrsky’s command.
The reported confrontation underscores the deepening strain within Ukraine’s military and political circles as the conflict continues to erode both morale and capability.