Ukrainian President Faces Political Pushback After Dismissing Defence Minister Fedorov
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Protests erupted across Ukraine following President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's removal of Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, highlighting tensions over military reforms and the president's political standing.
Kyiv – President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov seven months after his appointment, prompting rallies in the capital and other cities. The protests, described as large for wartime Ukraine, reflect public discontent with the ouster of a minister credited with modernising the armed forces.
Fedorov, a 35-year-old former digital-transformation minister with no battlefield experience, had overseen logistics, budgeting and anti-corruption measures for the defence ministry. He introduced tech-driven reforms, expanding drone use, AI-guided targeting and ground robots, and sought greater transparency in weapons procurement. Analysts said these changes improved strike efficiency against Russian forces.
The removal appears linked to friction with General Oleksandr Syrskii, the armed forces’ commander-in-chief, who reportedly opposed Fedorov’s reforms. Syrskii, praised for defending Kyiv in 2022 but criticised for high casualty rates, retained control of combat planning.
"He’s a young, smart, educated person who proved with his previous job that he really is a reformer and can make Ukraine a nation of the future," said a rally participant who asked to remain anonymous for security reasons.
"Syrskii saved our country in 2022, but the war has changed completely, and we have to change, too," Fedorov told a news briefing, accusing the general of "weaving intrigues" and dividing the country.
Protesters carried signs condemning the decision and accusing Zelenskyy of harming Ukraine’s war effort. While most servicemen stayed away from the demonstrations, a few who spoke praised Fedorov’s impact but noted unfinished challenges such as recruitment, conscription and soldier welfare.
Political analysts warned that Zelenskyy faces a "stalemate situation" as parliament hesitates to name a new defence minister and public support for the president wanes. The episode underscores internal divisions over how Ukraine should adapt its military strategy amid the ongoing conflict.