FRANCE PERSPECTIVE

Paris, July 22, 2026. The dismissal of General Oleksandr Syrsky, announced Tuesday evening by Volodymyr Zelensky, is a central focus of French media coverage, which sees it as the culmination of a political crisis that has been ongoing since the surprise dismissal of Defense Minister Mykhaïlo Fedorov on July 15. France 24 notes that Syrsky's removal, at the age of 60, "was massively demanded by Ukrainians" and comes after several days of protests in Kiev and other cities. The commander-in-chief, who led the defense of Kiev in 2022, has been replaced by Mykhaïlo Drapaty, described by correspondent Gulliver Cragg as "extremely popular with the public" and as the man Fedorov "wanted to see" in the position.

The French press retraces the roots of the conflict: Fedorov, 35, from the tech world, advocated for massive use of drones and a reorganization of the armed forces, and accused Syrsky of hindering this reform. His dismissal had "triggered protests demanding his return and the removal" of the general. Fedorov welcomed the dismissal as "a breath of fresh air" and "new hope" in the fight against Russia, estimating that the command system needed "to adapt".

RFI, reporting from Kiev, describes a mobilization that "shows no signs of weakening" in Franka Square, in front of the presidential palace. A protester, Olha, a refugee in France who returned for the summer, testifies: "I hope he finds a good solution, but we can't be 100% sure." The organizers have set an ultimatum: if their demands are not met, the rallies will resume on Friday.

The French press finally highlights the grievances against Syrsky, who his critics accused of "being indifferent to human losses", while also recalling, through Zelensky himself, the "solid frontline positions" obtained under his command. This reshuffle, described as "high-risk" by France 24, comes as the conflict enters its fifth year and the UN reports a 37% increase in civilian casualties in the first half of 2026.