Ukraine’s Army Chief Apologizes, Admits Only 2,000 Soldiers Signed New Contracts Amid Mass Protests
Ukraine’s top military commander has apologized and revealed that only 2,000 soldiers have signed new military contracts, a far cry from what was needed to sustain the war effort, as mass protests over the firing of a reformist defense minister continue to rock the government.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has replaced Ukraine’s top military commander, Oleksandr Syrskyi, with General Mykhailo Drapatyi following a week of nationwide protests and growing political pressure [201791][201446]. The shake-up comes after the dismissal of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, a 35-year-old tech entrepreneur known for modernizing Ukraine’s drone program and fighting corruption, sparked street protests in Kyiv and 16 other cities [198491][201256][198609]. Demonstrators chanted, “They removed the auditor, not the thieves,” expressing anger that Fedorov was ousted while others accused of stealing from the military budget remain in power [198609].
Fedorov said his efforts to reform the military were blocked by then-Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi, accusing him of issuing an ultimatum and refusing to adapt to modern warfare [197697][198631]. “Every initiative we put forward began to be blocked,” Fedorov told reporters, adding that he recommended Syrskyi be removed but Zelenskyy disagreed [197697]. Syrskyi, in his first public comments after Fedorov’s ouster, thanked the former minister and wished him success [197697].
In a rare public statement, the army chief later apologized and revealed that only 2,000 soldiers have signed new military contracts so far—a number far below expectations, raising fresh concerns about morale and retention [201804]. Protest organizers have set a July 24 deadline, giving the government four days before nightly rallies begin [200616].