Ukraine Shown in Crisis: Zelensky Dismisses Supportive Defence Minister, Sparking Protests
President Volodymyr Zelensky’s last‑minute decision to remove 35‑year‑old Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has left the nation by stunned, with chants of “Hands off Fedorov” echoing through Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities. The move, which was announced earlier today, immediately triggered protests among families, youth and military volunteers, who considered Fedorov a driving force behind Ukraine’s modern defence strategy.
Zelensky’s new appointee, Maj‑Gen Yevhenii Khmara – the acting head of Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) – was announced on the same morning. The indication of Khmara’s extensive technological background was a surprise, as Fedorov had previously been acclaimed for his use of data analytics to streamline battlefield logistics and curb corruption within the ministry.
Fedorov’s tenure, which began in January following a corruption crackdown, was marked by a surge in high‑tech warfare: from a volunteer “IT Army of Ukraine” that launched cyber‑attacks on Russian forces, to pioneering “gamified” reward schemes that fed funds into drone strike operations. He was also credited with rallying the Army of Drones and recruiting cutting‑edge cyber‑defence units.
The dismissal is reportedly rooted in a deeper clash among Ukraine’s senior military leadership: Fedorov had publicly suggested that Commander‑in‑Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi and Chief of General Staff Andrii Hnatov be replaced. When Zelensky told reporters that he would not replace Syrskyi, Fedorov said he would only cooperate with him, but that all of his initiatives were blocked. He accused Syrskyi of “splitting the country” rather than focusing on defeating Russia asymmetrically.
The protests captured February‑style slogans: “Stop sabotaging victory!” “Shame!” and “What are you doing, you idiot?” Many participants highlighted the loss of a reformer they saw as crucial to the war effort. “We see Fedorov’s results. We see the motivation of the soldiers,” said 31‑year‑old Maria Lavrynets during a demonstration in Ivan Franko square.
Zelensky replied to the unrest by stating that the decision was a “mistake in Ukraine’s history,” arguing that the new appointment was still open to Parliament’s review. Nonetheless, the opposition includes significant factions within the Armed Forces who consider the substitution a “great evil” for the nation’s defence capability.
This turmoil overlapped with other shifts in the Ukrainian cabinet: after former oil and gas chief Serhiy Koretsky’s confirmation by parliament, the previous unfilled role of Prime Minister opened up, following Yuliia Svyrydenko’s resignation this week.
The decision to replace Fedorov raises concerns about the continuity of Ukraine’s tech‑driven defence posture amid the ongoing conflict with Russia. Observers now watch closely to see whether Khmara’s leadership will retain the innovative edge that has helped the Ukrainian Armed Forces outmaneuver a superiorly equipped adversary.
