Protests have broken out in several Ukrainian cities following President Volodymyr Zelensky’s unexpected dismissal of Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, a move that has sparked criticism from sections of the military, civil society and political observers.
Hundreds of demonstrators, many of them young people, gathered in Kyiv holding placards reading “Hands off Fedorov” and “Stop sabotaging victory!” while chanting “Shame!”
Zelensky has not publicly explained the decision, which has generated widespread debate over the future direction of Ukraine’s defence leadership.
Fedorov at age 35, was appointed defence minister in January and was widely credited with driving reforms aimed at tackling corruption, modernising the ministry and improving battlefield performance through data-driven strategies.
Ukraine’s parliament was expected to vote later on Thursday on the nomination of Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko as his replacement.
Analysts have linked Fedorov’s removal to reported disagreements with Ukraine’s Commander-in-Chief, Oleksandr Syrskyi, while others suggested concerns over the pace of military mobilisation reforms may have contributed to the decision.
“This is the worst mistake Zelensky has made during his entire presidency,” a Ukrainian soldier identified as Oleksandr said.
He said he had enlisted earlier this year because he believed in Fedorov’s vision for the military, adding that he knew few people within the armed forces or wider society who supported the minister’s removal.
Speaking at a protest in central Kyiv, Maria Lavrynets said Fedorov’s work had strengthened troop morale and improved military performance.
“We see his results. We see the motivation of the soldiers, we should stand for them,” she said.
Before becoming defence minister, Fedorov served as Ukraine’s minister of digital transformation, where he played a key role in establishing the volunteer “IT Army of Ukraine” to conduct cyber operations against Russia following the full-scale invasion in 2022.
He later led the Army of Drones fundraising campaign and introduced systems designed to reward military units for successfully targeting Russian assets.
As defence minister, he continued prioritising drone technology, military innovation and procurement reforms.
His ministry also played a significant role in Ukraine’s recent operations targeting the Russian-occupied Crimean Peninsula.
Shortly after his dismissal, Fedorov published a Facebook post highlighting his achievements and pledged to continue supporting Ukraine’s war effort through innovation and organisational reforms.
Prominent Ukrainian blogger Serhii Sternenko described Fedorov as “the best minister of defence in our entire history” and criticised what he called bureaucratic obstacles that hindered deeper reforms.
The fallout also prompted Pavlo Yelizarov, a senior commander of a Ukrainian drone unit, to resign from his position as deputy commander of the Ukrainian Air Force in protest, describing Fedorov’s removal as “a great evil for the country’s defence capability.”
Ojo Triumph
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