Ukraine's Soviet-trained top commander Oleksandr Syrsky -- sacked on Tuesday -- led some of Kyiv's most decisive military campaigns, but clashed with reformers as drones and technology changed the face of war. Advertisement AdvertisementAdvertisement AdvertisementThousands took to the streets demanding Syrsky, not Fedorov, be removed. In a blistering attack after being ousted, Fedorov said Syrsky had hobbled his attempts at modernisation -- on procurement, equipment and mobilisation. Syrsky led the defence of Kyiv when Russia tried to surround the city in the first days of its invasion. "It is a fact that Oleksandr Syrsky ensured Ukraine's successes in the defense of Kyiv, in the Kharkiv offensive operation, and in the Kursk operation," Zelensky said.