• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has sacked army chief Oleksandr Syrsky.
• The dismissal follows protests supporting ousted Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov.
• Mykhailo Drapaty has been appointed as the new commander-in-chief.
• Fedorov accused Syrsky of obstructing military reforms.
• The political crisis raises questions about military leadership amid ongoing conflict.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has dismissed army chief Oleksandr Syrsky, appointing Mykhailo Drapaty in his place. This decision comes after a significant political crisis sparked by the removal of the widely supported Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, which incited street protests across Ukraine demanding reform in military leadership, according to BBC, Channel News Asia, and Le Monde.

Syrsky, aged 60, has been a prominent figure since the start of the Russian invasion, successfully leading the capital’s defense. However, his dismissal arises from allegations that he obstructed Fedorov's modernization efforts within the military. Fedorov, himself a young and innovative leader, claimed that Syrsky pressured Zelensky to terminate his position, leading to a public outcry for change, according to Channel News Asia and Le Monde.

Mykhailo Drapaty, the newly appointed commander, brings a wealth of experience and is well-regarded after commanding Ukraine's Joint Forces. His appointment, welcomed by Fedorov as a source of "new hope," highlights the demand for reform within military ranks amidst ongoing conflicts, illustrating a shift in leadership dynamics in Ukraine, according to BBC, Channel News Asia, and Le Monde.

This surge of public discontent reflects deeper fractures within Ukraine's military and political frameworks, especially in light of extensive losses during the ongoing war with Russia. The situation remains fluid, and further developments in Ukraine's military leadership are expected, according to Channel News Asia and Le Monde.