Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has begun considering a possible replacement for Oleksandr Syrskyi as commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. According to Bloomberg, citing sources, the shortlist includes 11 people, with Joint Forces commander Mykhailo Drapatyi viewed as the main contender.
Ukrainska Pravda and the Financial Times have also named Drapatyi among the possible candidates. Other names mentioned include Air Assault Forces commander Oleh Apostol and Deputy Chief of the General Staff Volodymyr Horbatiuk.
According to Ukrainska Pravda, other possible contenders include Andriy Biletskyi, commander of the 3rd Army Corps of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and Denys Prokopenko, commander of the 1st Corps of Ukraine’s National Guard, Azov. Liga.net and Ukrainska Pravda report that Apostol is considered Syrskyi’s preferred candidate, while Drapatyi and Biletskyi were recommended for the post by former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov.
“Most of our sources in the military are currently betting on Drapatyi’s appointment,” Ukrainska Pravda said.
On July 15, 2026, it was reported that Mykhailo Fedorov would leave his post as Ukraine’s defense minister, a role he had held since January 2026. His dismissal triggered ongoing protests in Ukraine. Fedorov said he resigned because of a conflict with Syrskyi, prompting a wave of criticism of the commander-in-chief. Syrskyi, however, denies that any conflict existed.
Against that backdrop, media reports say Zelensky has begun reconsidering Syrskyi’s removal, something he had previously refused to do. The Financial Times also reports that Zelensky and his team are trying to bring Fedorov back into government, but he is willing to return only as defense minister. That post, according to the reports, has already been given to Yevhen Khmara, who previously headed the Security Service of Ukraine.