Protests erupt across Ukraine over Zelensky’s dismissal of Defence Minister
Ukraine’s capital and several regional cities have seen protests following President Volodymyr Zelensky’s abrupt removal of Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, a decision that has unsettled the military, parliament, and civil society.
In Kyiv, demonstrators, many of them young, gathered in Ivan Franko Square holding placards reading “Hands off Fedorov” and “Stop sabotaging victory!” while chanting “Shame!”. Similar rallies were reported in other cities, reflecting widespread discontent over the president’s reshuffle.
Fedorov, 35, had only been appointed in January but quickly gained popularity for his anti‑corruption drive and emphasis on high‑tech warfare. A former digital transformation minister, he introduced drone procurement systems, gamified battlefield performance metrics, and spearheaded cyber initiatives such as the volunteer “IT Army of Ukraine.” His ministry also played a key role in recent drone strikes on Russian positions in Crimea.
At a press conference, Fedorov suggested his dismissal stemmed from tensions with Commander‑in‑Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi. He said his proposals for replacing Syrskyi and Chief of the General Staff Andrii Hnatov were rejected, leaving his initiatives blocked. “Instead of finding a way of defeating Russia asymmetrically, which is the commander‑in‑chief’s job, he’s found a way of splitting our country,” Fedorov said.
Zelensky has yet to explain the decision, though parliament is expected to vote on his proposed replacement, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko. The reshuffle also saw Serhiy Koretsky, head of state oil and gas company Naftogaz, approved as prime minister after Yuliia Svyrydenko’s resignation.
The dismissal has drawn sharp criticism from soldiers and activists. “This is the worst mistake Zelensky has made during his entire presidency,” one soldier told the BBC, saying he joined the army because he trusted Fedorov’s vision. Drone commander Pavlo Yelizarov resigned in protest, calling the move “a great evil for the country’s defence capability.”
Fedorov declined Zelensky’s offer to remain as an adviser, insisting he would continue working independently to “defeat the enemy through asymmetry, speed of innovation, and organisational strength.”
For many Ukrainians, his removal represents more than a personnel change; it is seen as a setback to reform and innovation at a critical stage of the war. The protests underline the growing divide between Zelensky’s leadership and parts of society that had rallied behind Fedorov’s modernization agenda.
Source: BBC
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