President Volodymyr Zelenskyy ousts Mykhailo Fedorov as Ukraine's defence minister amid public protests and military friction.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has dismissed Mykhailo Fedorov as Ukraine's defence minister during a cabinet reshuffle, sparking widespread protests across the country. Fedorov, a 35-year-old tech-focused leader, was widely credited with modernizing the military and spearheading the nation's successful drone strategy against Russia. The decision has exposed a significant rift between the innovative Fedorov and the military's old guard, specifically the 60-year-old commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrskyi. While Fedorov championed a data-driven, digital approach to warfare, Syrskyi represents a more traditional, Soviet-minded style of command. Fedorov criticized Syrskyi for blocking his reforms, while some soldiers expressed frustration over the loss of a minister who prioritized technological advancement. In response to the ousting, thousands of rioters gathered in Kyiv and other cities to demand Fedorov's reappointment. The administration announced that Yevhenii Khmara, the head of the Security Service of Ukraine, will serve as the interim defence minister. Despite the transition, the administration aims to maintain Fedorov's technological initiatives as Ukraine prepares for the upcoming winter campaign.

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