Zelensky’s removal of popular defence minister sparks nationwide protests as Ukraine faces deepening military leadership crisis
Ukraine has been thrown into political turmoil after President Volodymyr Zelensky unexpectedly removed Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, a decision that has sparked widespread public outrage, protests across several cities, and fierce criticism from lawmakers, military personnel, and civil society groups.
The dismissal of Fedorov, widely regarded as one of the country’s most effective reformers during Russia’s ongoing invasion, has opened one of the most significant political disputes of Zelensky’s presidency. Demonstrators flooded the streets of Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities, carrying placards with messages such as “Hands off Fedorov” and “Stop sabotaging victory!” while chanting “Shame!” in protest against the president’s decision.
The demonstrations reflected growing fears that Ukraine’s wartime leadership is becoming increasingly divided at a time when the country continues to battle Russian forces on multiple fronts.
Zelensky names new acting defence minister
As protests intensified, President Zelensky announced Maj.-Gen. Yevhenii Khmara, the acting head of Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU), as acting defence minister.
Defending the appointment, Zelensky described Khmara as a military leader with exceptional experience in modern technological warfare, saying his expertise would strengthen Ukraine’s defence strategy during one of the most challenging periods of the war.
However, the appointment has done little to calm public anger, with many Ukrainians viewing the move as politically motivated rather than strategically necessary.
Power struggle within Ukraine’s military leadership
The controversy has also exposed a deep internal conflict within Ukraine’s military establishment.
Rumours that tensions between Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov and Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi had contributed to the dismissal were effectively confirmed after both Fedorov and Zelensky publicly acknowledged longstanding disagreements.
Fedorov revealed that he had personally recommended the replacement of Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi and Chief of the General Staff Andrii Hnatov, arguing that Ukraine required a different military strategy to gain an advantage over Russia.
According to Fedorov, cooperation between the defence ministry and the military command had become increasingly difficult.
After Zelensky reportedly informed him that Syrskyi would remain in office, Fedorov said he agreed to continue working with the military leadership but claimed many of his ministry’s reform proposals were repeatedly blocked.
He accused Syrskyi of creating unnecessary divisions rather than focusing on innovative ways to defeat Russia, describing the disagreements as harmful to Ukraine’s war effort.
President Zelensky later admitted that tensions between the General Staff and the defence ministry had become “systemic” and required his personal intervention to maintain cooperation.
Fedorov’s departure shocks Ukraine
At just 35 years old, Mykhailo Fedorov had become one of the youngest and most influential figures in Ukraine’s wartime government.
Since taking over the defence ministry in January, he earned widespread praise for introducing technology-driven reforms, strengthening transparency, fighting corruption, and modernising military procurement.
His leadership focused heavily on integrating advanced technologies into Ukraine’s defence strategy, particularly the expanded use of drones, battlefield data analysis, and digital innovation.
Many military experts credited him with transforming the ministry into a faster and more efficient institution capable of responding quickly to battlefield developments.
Before becoming defence minister, Fedorov had already built an international reputation as Ukraine’s Minister of Digital Transformation.
Following Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, he helped establish the volunteer “IT Army of Ukraine,” coordinating cyber operations against Russian targets while also launching the internationally recognised “Army of Drones” fundraising initiative.
His introduction of digital scoring systems that rewarded military units for successfully destroying Russian military assets was widely viewed as a revolutionary approach to modern warfare.
Role in major military operations
During his tenure, Fedorov continued expanding Ukraine’s use of drone technology and played a significant role in strengthening the country’s technological warfare capabilities.
His ministry was also involved in supporting operations targeting Russian military infrastructure in occupied Crimea, with Fedorov previously declaring Ukraine’s intention to completely isolate the peninsula from Russian military logistics through sustained drone strikes.
Earlier this year, he also urged SpaceX founder Elon Musk to prevent Russian forces from exploiting Starlink satellite services for military drone operations, a move that reportedly disrupted Russian frontline activities.
These initiatives strengthened his reputation both inside Ukraine and among many international observers as one of the architects of Ukraine’s technological resistance against Russia.
Public backlash grows
The decision to remove Fedorov has drawn unusually strong criticism from across Ukrainian society.
Many soldiers have openly questioned the president’s judgment, arguing that Fedorov had earned the confidence of frontline troops through his reforms.
One Ukrainian soldier described the dismissal as the biggest mistake of Zelensky’s presidency, saying he joined the army because he believed in Fedorov’s vision for modernising Ukraine’s military.
Protesters echoed similar sentiments, insisting that the defence minister had demonstrated measurable progress in improving troop morale, military innovation, and operational effectiveness.
The controversy has also triggered resignations from senior military figures.
Pavlo Yelizarov, a respected drone commander and deputy commander of the Ukrainian Air Force, stepped down in protest, describing Fedorov’s dismissal as a serious blow to Ukraine’s defence capability.
Several of Fedorov’s advisers also expressed disappointment, arguing that bureaucratic resistance had slowed many of the reforms aimed at strengthening Ukraine’s military.
Political reshuffle continues
The defence ministry changes form part of a broader government reshuffle initiated by President Zelensky.
Parliament has already approved the appointment of state energy executive Serhiy Koretsky as Ukraine’s new prime minister following the resignation of Yuliia Svyrydenko.
Meanwhile, discussions continue over the permanent appointment of a new defence minister, with Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko among the names under consideration.
Despite rejecting Zelensky’s offer to remain as a presidential adviser, Fedorov stressed that he was acting according to his conscience and remained confident that the president would eventually resolve the crisis.
In a message following his dismissal, he reaffirmed his commitment to helping Ukraine defeat Russia through technological innovation, organisational efficiency, and asymmetric warfare.
A defining moment for Ukraine
The removal of Mykhailo Fedorov has become more than a routine cabinet reshuffle. It has exposed deep divisions within Ukraine’s wartime leadership, raised concerns about the future direction of military reforms, and sparked one of the most visible public protests against President Zelensky since Russia’s full-scale invasion began.
As Ukraine continues its fight against Russian forces, the unfolding leadership crisis will be closely watched both domestically and internationally, with many questioning whether the political upheaval could affect the country’s military effectiveness at one of the most critical stages of the war.
