Ukrainian protests erupt after President Zelensky dismisses Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov

Demonstrators gathered in Kyiv and several other Ukrainian cities on Thursday after President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the dismissal of Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. Protesters, many of them young, carried signs such as “Hands off Fedorov” and chanted slogans condemning the decision.

Fedorov, who was appointed in January, said he had advised Zelensky to replace Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi and Chief of the General Staff Andrii Hnatov, but his proposals were blocked. He told a press conference that the conflict between the defence ministry and the General Staff had become “systemic” and that he had been offered an advisory role, which he declined.

Syrskyi responded on Telegram, expressing pride in the 2022 defence of Kyiv and pledging to continue focusing on the war effort, while wishing Fedorov “continued success.”

Parliament was scheduled to vote on the nomination of Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko as a possible replacement, though Zelensky said no formal proposal had been submitted. The reshuffle also saw the appointment of state oil and gas chief Serhiy Koretsky as prime minister after Yuliia Svyrydenko’s resignation.

Fedorov’s tenure was noted for reforms aimed at reducing bureaucracy, introducing data-driven performance analysis, and expanding the use of drones and cyber operations. He previously coordinated the “IT Army of Ukraine” and led fundraising for drone procurement. In a Facebook post after his removal, he listed these achievements and affirmed his commitment to “defeat the enemy through asymmetry, speed of innovation, and organisational strength.”

Several soldiers and civilians interviewed at the protests expressed disappointment, saying they trusted Fedorov’s approach and feared the decision could undermine morale and ongoing reforms.