Media Warns of "Political Crisis," Lawmakers Fear "National Collapse," Zelensky Dismisses Ukrainian Army Commander

[Global Times Special Correspondents Liu Yupeng and Wang Yi] Late at night on the 21st local time, Ukrainian President Zelensky announced on social media that the Commander of the Joint Forces, Drapelet, would replace Sersky as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. This is the second high-ranking military official to be dismissed by Zelensky within a week since he removed Defense Minister Fedorov from office on the 16th. Following Fedorov's dismissal, Ukraine witnessed the longest nationwide protests since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Fedorov also publicly claimed that Sersky had incited Zelensky to dismiss him, accusing him of "dividing the country." This internal power struggle within Ukraine's leadership is viewed by Western media as one of the most pressing political crises facing Zelensky. The British newspaper The Times reported that several Ukrainian politicians support Fedorov in forming his own political party and running for president after elections are restored. Regarding the political turmoil in Ukraine occurring at the height of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, U.S. Bloomberg quoted Ukrainian MP Fediyenko as saying, "This is a path to national collapse."

Changes in the Ukrainian military leadership again

According to a report by the Ukrainian Truth on the 22nd, Zelensky announced late at night on the 21st on social media the appointment of Joint Forces Commander Drapelet as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, replacing Sersky. Zelensky stated that on that day he discussed adjustments to the personnel of the Ukrainian Armed Forces General Staff with Drapelet, Acting Defense Minister Hemara, and Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Palitsa, and that all decisions would be formally finalized on the 22nd.

According to the Ukrainian National News Agency, Zelensky stated on the 21st that it is essential to continue implementing the long-range strike plan while ensuring a smooth handover within the Ukrainian military. He also mentioned that he would offer the recently dismissed Defense Minister Fedorov a "valuable leadership position in the government" to consolidate the country's military technology development. However, he simultaneously stated that Acting Defense Minister Hemara is very professional and is needed by the government.

U.S. Bloomberg reported on the 22nd that Zelensky made the decision to dismiss Sersky after nationwide protests that lasted for several days. Sersky has been accused of being the "mastermind" behind inciting Zelensky to dismiss former Defense Minister Fedorov.

However, according to a report by U.S. Politico's European edition on the 21st, Fedorov refused to accept any position other than Defense Minister that Zelensky was preparing to offer him. It remains unclear whether he will accept Zelensky's latest invitation to return to the government.

Is there a Western shadow behind Ukraine's internal strife?

"Zelensky replaced the top commander at a critical moment in the war." The New York Times reported on the 22nd that Zelensky's dismissal of Sersky is a capitulation to the nationwide protests that have lasted for several days. Zelensky dismissed Fedorov last week, triggering large-scale street protests across Ukraine for several consecutive days.

AFP stated that this wave of protests is the longest nationwide demonstration in Ukraine since the Russia-Ukraine conflict began. This high-level personnel turmoil has also become one of the most pressing political crises facing Zelensky.

Sersky became the Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in 2024. Reports indicate that the 60-year-old Sersky entered military school during the Soviet era and served in the Soviet Army, advocating traditional tactics of centralized command, positional defense, and reliance on infantry and heavy armored forces. In contrast, the 35-year-old Fedorov, who has no military background, is a "technocrat" who implemented drone swarm tactics after taking office as Defense Minister in January, advocating for deep strikes against Russian energy and logistics facilities. The two have significant differences in combat philosophy, which in turn affects the dominant direction of Ukraine's defense procurement.

After Fedorov was dismissed, he stated at a public press conference that Sersky had issued an ultimatum to Zelensky, forcing him to dismiss Fedorov. Fedorov accused Sersky of "dividing the country." He also claimed that he had been trying to eliminate rampant corruption in defense procurement, which had made him many enemies. Sersky, however, denied Fedorov's claims.

The British Times reported that Zelensky's dismissal of Fedorov during a chaotic government reshuffle may have given him a "powerful political opponent." The report cited several anonymous Ukrainian MPs and other politicians who stated that Zelensky removed Fedorov because of his rising approval ratings and that Fedorov has strong political ambitions. There are rumors in Kyiv that he may consider running for president once elections are restored, which poses a major threat to Zelensky. Reports indicate that several Ukrainian MPs have urged Fedorov to form his own political party. A recent poll released in Kyiv showed that Fedorov's net approval rating is 2 percentage points higher than Zelensky's.

Berlin-based BNE International News stated that this street protest is similar to the protests triggered last year when Zelensky attempted to limit the powers of the Ukrainian National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) with Western support. The report indicated that Fedorov's dismissal has drawn behind-the-scenes pressure from some EU countries, which view him as a key anti-corruption figure in Kyiv. The report noted that Fedorov became famous for his anti-corruption efforts, "while many advisors and friends closely associated with Zelensky have been found to be involved in corruption."

Russia: No change in the front line situation

"The rift in Ukraine." The New York Times reported on the 22nd that after experiencing intense bombardment from Russia, Ukraine has recently received several "good news" from the battlefield: it has not only launched attacks against Moscow but has also destroyed many Russian oil refineries and other infrastructure; diplomatically, Ukraine has received billions of euros in aid from the EU and has garnered praise from Trump. However, this political infighting has torn apart the crucial unity for Ukraine, plunging it into political turmoil at a critical moment. "The biggest enemy is internal division," said Ukrainian scholar Volodymyr, "History tells us this could be fatal."

On the 22nd, Russian presidential spokesman Peskov stated at a press conference that the Ukrainian authorities are facing serious internal problems, "All this turmoil will obviously shake the Kyiv regime from within." Peskov also stated that the appointment of a new Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces in Ukraine is unlikely to change the situation on the front lines, "The Russian army is actively taking offensive actions at the front." Regarding Russia-Ukraine negotiations, Peskov stated that President Putin has long proposed conditions for stopping hostilities, which remain valid, "The transition to serious negotiations primarily depends on Kyiv's actions."