In a bid to overhaul Ukraine's decimated armed forces, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has fired most of his top generals, including popular commander-in-chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi. Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi has been appointed as the new commander-in-chief, but he faces significant challenges in mobilizing new forces and combating corruption within the ranks.

The recent wave of dismissals is part of Zelenskyy's management style since taking power in 2019. However, the scale of the dismissals reflects the dire state of Ukraine's military, with corruption scandals, delays in Western military aid, and chaotic management. Only those who achieved success in operations against the Russian fleet and demonstrated stability in repelling Russian attacks have retained their positions.

Mobilization is now a top priority for the new top brass, as Ukraine has suffered significant battlefield casualties. Although the exact numbers are undisclosed, it is estimated that at least 70,000 servicemen have been lost. Zaluzhnyi had proposed to mobilize 500,000 men, but Zelenskyy rejected the idea due to concerns about public protests and limitations in training, housing, and arming.

Unfortunately, thousands of Ukrainian men of fighting age have reportedly bribed their way out of military service or crossed Ukraine's borders illegally. Some conscription officers have been arrested for accepting bribes to exempt individuals from military duty, accumulating significant assets both domestically and abroad. To address this issue, Zelenskyy has replaced regional conscription officers with battle-tested veterans vetted by intelligence services, but the efforts have fallen short in mobilizing enough manpower for the front line.

However, there have been concerns raised about the new commander-in-chief. Some servicemen accuse Syrskyi of neglecting human losses and employing harsh tactics. One veteran, who enlisted in 2014 after the conflict with pro-Russian separatists began, criticized Syrskyi for sending servicemen to dangerous front-line spots and disregarding complaints about corruption or superiors. Despite these allegations, Syrskyi has emphasized that the life and health of servicemen remain a top priority.

Syrskyi, a former deputy chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, has been credited with two significant successes during his tenure as head of land forces. The first was the defense of Kyiv in February and March 2022, where autonomous groups of servicemen and irregular forces successfully thwarted Russian encirclement attempts. The second success was the covert assembly of light infantry in the Kharkiv region, leading to the liberation of the entire region despite Russia's artillery advantage.

Another challenge for the new top brass is the delay in Western military aid. While this delay may not cripple Ukraine's economy, it is of utmost importance for the military's operations.

Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi's appointment as the new commander-in-chief presents both hope and skepticism. His reputation as a capable military commander, along with his focus on preparing for hostilities and holding subordinates accountable, may help address the challenges of mobilization and corruption. However, concerns and critics remain, as Ukraine continues to rebuild and strengthen its armed forces amidst ongoing conflict with Russia.