FT: Zelenskyy considers dismissing Ukraine army chief Syrskyi

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is considering dismissing Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi, Report informs, citing the Financial Times.

The newspaper cited a source in Zelenskyy's office as saying that the Ukrainian president will meet military commanders this weekend to hear their assessment of the situation on the front line. He will also hold talks with potential candidates for the post of commander-in-chief.

According to the source, Zelenskyy is ready to dismiss Syrskyi if he finds a candidate capable of ensuring a smooth transfer of command and maintaining a stable defense along the 1,200-kilometer front line.

The Financial Times noted that Zelenskyy began considering the move after protests triggered by the dismissal of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov grew into a broader campaign criticizing Ukraine's commander-in-chief.

This week, Zelenskyy told journalists that Fedorov and Syrskyi no longer communicate directly and can interact only through him. The Ukrainian leader said he had "very much wanted unity" between Fedorov and Syrskyi, but had been unable to achieve it.

Zelenskyy said on social media that he had already met with the senior military leadership of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, including corps commanders. The content of the post and the published photos suggest that the meeting was held without Syrskyi's participation.