Ukraine’s army chief, Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi, is expected to lose his job as protests over President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s dismissal of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov continue to grow, according to reports.

Fedorov was removed as defense minister last week following disagreements with military leadership, particularly with Syrskyi. After his dismissal, thousands of demonstrators gathered in Kyiv and other cities to demand Syrskyi’s removal and call for Fedorov’s return.

A person familiar with the matter told the Kyiv Independent that Zelenskyy is weighing Syrskyi’s possible dismissal, with a decision expected soon, possibly within days.

Kyrylo Budanov, head of Zelenskyy’s office, said the government had heard public concerns. 

“The situation around the recent internal changes has provoked strong emotions. I understand the people expressing their position. Caring is a force that has kept our state going all these years,” Budanov said.

“The public has been heard… The work is underway. There will be results,” he added.

Sources cited by Ukrainian media said Zelenskyy is considering possible replacements for Syrskyi, including Air Assault Forces Commander Oleh Apostol, Deputy Chief of the General Staff Volodymyr Horbatiuk and Joint Forces Commander Mykhailo Drapatyi. 

Ukraine’s General Staff on Monday denied media reports that Syrskyi was about to be dismissed, saying he and his deputy, Andriy Hnatov, continued to carry out their duties. “Dismissal from these posts takes place on the basis of a decree by the president of Ukraine,” it added.

Meanwhile, Syrskyi defended his leadership in a newspaper column, saying he was surprised by reports of a dispute with Fedorov. “I perceived our relationship as a working one: with complex issues, with different positions. This is how it should be between two institutions during a major war,” Syrskyi wrote.

He also apologized if he had offended Fedorov and rejected accusations that he lacked a strategy for the war. “My job is war. Strategy, the frontline, the people. That is what I do and will continue to do,” Syrskyi said.

Meanwhile, a report by the Financial Times, said Zelenskyy over the weekend offered to reinstate Fedorov in a new senior role on Ukraine’s National Security and Defence Council. However, sources familiar with the matter said Fedorov turned down the offer because he wanted to return only to the defense ministry. 

Appointed as Ukraine’s defense minister on Jan. 14, Fedorov, 35, was credited by supporters with advancing the country’s use of technology and innovation on the battlefield during his six months in office. 

His efforts included disrupting Starlink access for Russian forces and launching initiatives to expand Ukraine’s domestic drone production.

It has been a great honor to serve the Ukrainian people as the Minister of Defense.

Here is what our team managed to achieve:

1. Disabled Starlink access for Russian forces.

2. Took over a Ministry of Defense with zero budget, took a risk, reallocated funds from payroll from… pic.twitter.com/18B5QQaeqL

— Mykhailo Fedorov (@FedorovMykhailo) July 15, 2026