Navy and Air Assault Forces Commanders Express Support for Syrskyi

Amid protests calling for the dismissal of Commander-in-Chief General Oleksandr Syrskyi, the commanders of Ukraine’s Naval Forces and Air Assault Forces have publicly voiced their support for the country’s military leadership.

Commander of the Ukrainian Navy Oleksiy Neizhpapa said that “doubts about the Armed Forces during war are unacceptable” and argued that only President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has the authority to assess Syrskyi’s performance. He also described public criticism of the military leadership as an attempt to incite division within society, saying it ultimately benefits Russia.

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Commander of the Air Assault Forces Oleh Apostol acknowledged that criticism can be “objective, professional, and well-founded,” but argued that those who have never issued combat orders have no moral right to broadly condemn the Armed Forces’ senior leadership. He stressed that the military “was, is, and will remain outside politics,” adding that “where politics begins in the army, its combat capability ends.”

Apostol also urged servicemen not to become involved in political disputes and to continue adhering to the established chain of command.

The statements follow a series of public endorsements by senior security officials. Earlier, commanders of the National Guard corps expressed support for Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko, who has been reported as a potential candidate to lead the Ministry of Defense.

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Brigade Commanders Directed to Film Messages Supporting Syrskyi

Separately, it was reported that commanders of Ukrainian brigades had received orders to record and publish video messages expressing support for Syrskyi, a claim later confirmed to Ukrainska Pravda by several sources within the Defense Forces.