Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismisses popular defense minister Mykhailo Fedorov amid public protests and a breakdown in relations with military leadership.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has dismissed Mykhailo Fedorov as Ukraine’s defense minister after only six months in the role. The decision follows a breakdown in relations between Fedorov, a reformist known for technological innovation, and the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, Oleksandr Syrskyi. While Fedorov was praised for his tech-driven reforms and efforts to curb corruption, his ouster has sparked significant public outcry. Thousands of rioters gathered in Kyiv and other cities to protest the move, with many viewing Fedorov as a popular hero and a potential future presidential rival. Zelenskyy defended the decision, stating that the lack of unity between the ministry and the military made the change necessary. The administration announced the appointment of Yevhenii Khmara as the acting defense minister. Despite the domestic political friction, the war continues to intensify. Russian missile attacks recently killed at least four civilians, while Ukrainian drone strikes have continued to target Russian oil facilities. Fedorov remains a vocal supporter of the president, though he criticized the military's "Soviet-style" methods and "bureaucratic wrangling."