Zelenskyy replaces defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov amid internal disputes
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov and named Yevhen Khmara as interim minister, a move that has sparked protests and raised questions about the government's ability to maintain a cohesive war strategy.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy removed 35-year-old Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov on Thursday and appointed Yevhen Khmara, a former head of the security service’s Alpha unit, as interim minister. The change comes as Ukraine reports progress in several fronts of its conflict with Russia. Fedorov, who had been in office since January, was credited with modernising procurement, promoting competitive tendering and advancing Ukraine’s drone and missile programmes. He also played a role in persuading Elon Musk to suspend unauthorised Russian access to Starlink services on the battlefield.
Fedorov said at a press conference after his dismissal that he had repeatedly encountered resistance from Chief of Staff Oleksandr Syrskyi, describing the general’s actions as blocking his reform initiatives. "All the initiatives we proposed began to be blocked," he said, adding that Syrskyi had not engaged in direct discussions about the issues raised.
Zelenskyy, speaking alongside former British prime minister Keir Starmer, said the decision was driven by a need for unity within the defence establishment. Demonstrations against the dismissal continued in Kyiv for a second day.
Analysts note that the appointment of Khmara, who has overseen drone strike operations, suggests the government intends to maintain the technology-focused approach championed by Fedoro v. The longer-term impact on Ukraine’s military coordination remains uncertain.