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On July 15th, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed now–former Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, one of the architects of Ukraine’s technological transformation on the battlefield. His abrupt dismissal sparked protests in Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities, with demonstrators calling for the removal of Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, whose more traditional approach to the war had increasingly clashed with Fedorov’s vision.
Days later, Zelenskyy dismissed Syrskyi as well, replacing him with Mykhailo Drapatyi—a respected frontline commander who represents a younger generation of officers shaped by the war with Russia since 2014. The changes come during a time when Ukraine has regained some battlefield momentum, raising hopes that Kyiv may accelerate both military reform and offensive operations.
The shake-up also raises broader questions about Ukraine’s wartime leadership. What does it reveal about civil-military relations and competing visions for how Ukraine should fight? Could the political fallout fuel calls for elections? And what might these leadership changes mean for the future course of the war?
To answer these questions and more, we are excited to welcome Melinda Haring and Ambassador Bill Taylor to Brussels Sprouts.
Melinda Haring is a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center and an expert on Ukraine.
Ambassador Bill Taylor is a distinguished fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center and former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine.
