„I am proud that in 2022, thanks to the Kyiv defensive operation, we managed to defend our capital. Now press conferences can take place in this city, visions are being formed, decisions are being made,“ said the commander, referring to the press conference of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov in the capital on July 16.
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In view of this, O. Syrskyi promised to do everything possible to ensure that such events can take place in a free and independent Ukraine.
In his opinion, Ukrainians and the government must focus on the war and an effective strategy, which is currently yielding concrete results.
„I thank Mykhailo Fedorov for his work as Ukraine’s defense minister. I wish him to continue to remain in the Ukrainian team. Together to victory!“, summarized O. Syrskyi.
The general sided with Fedorov
However, one of Ukraine’s highest-ranking military officers, Joint Forces Commander Mykhailo Drapat, in a rare public statement thanked M. Fedorov for “not being afraid to address problems” and added that the army “needs change.”
Fedorov proposed to dismiss Syrskyi
15min recalls that the dismissed Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov stated that Ukraine needs to replace the Armed Forces’ top commander Oleksandr Syrskyi and Chief of Staff Andriy Hnatov in order to “asymmetrically defeat the enemy.” He said this at a press conference on Thursday, July 16.
M. Fedorov confirmed the conflict with the top commander, claiming that O. Syrskyi blocked all his initiatives and was not ready to discuss problems, but “ready to create intrigues.”
“Actually, when the president said he did not intend to dismiss O. Syrskyi, that was his decision as the top commander. I agree and will try to learn to work with him… But we faced a complete blockade of all our initiatives,” said M. Fedorov, quoted by the portal “New Voice.”
He said that O. Syrskyi “issued an ultimatum” and, instead of coming up with how to asymmetrically defeat Russia, “came up with how to divide the country.”
At the same time, M. Fedorov noted that O. Syrskyi should not be underestimated as a war commander, because in 2022 he “saved the country.” M. Fedorov recalled successful operations for the defense of Kyiv and Kharkiv, as well as the liberation of Kherson, which were led by O. Syrskyi and in which he himself participated. However, since then the war has changed, added M. Fedorov.
He also stated that, besides O. Syrskyi, he proposed to the president to dismiss Chief of the General Staff Andriy Hnatov.
“We have no other choice if we want to asymmetrically defeat the enemy with minimal losses – so that strong leaders and commanders improve, not get written off,” said M. Fedorov.
