Zelensky’s removal of popular defence minister sparks protests in Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s decision to remove Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has sparked strong backlash from civil society groups and criticism from lawmakers, with protests breaking out in several cities.
On Thursday, crowds of mostly young demonstrators gathered in Kyiv and other parts of Ukraine, holding placards with messages such as “Hands off Fedorov” and “Stop sabotaging victory”, while chanting slogans including “Shame!”
Later that day, Zelensky nominated Maj-Gen Yevhenii Khmara, the acting head of Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU), to serve as acting defence minister. The president said Khmara’s experience in technological warfare made him suited for the role.
Speculation that Fedorov’s removal was linked to disagreements with Ukraine’s military leadership, particularly Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, was reinforced after Fedorov revealed that he had proposed replacing Syrskyi and Chief of the General Staff Andrii Hnatov.
Zelensky acknowledged that tensions between the Defence Ministry and the General Staff had been ongoing and described the conflict as “systemic,” saying the two sides had only been able to work together with his intervention.
Fedorov said that after Zelensky decided not to remove Syrskyi, he agreed to work with him but claimed that many of the reforms and proposals from his team were blocked.
He accused Syrskyi of failing to pursue more innovative strategies to counter Russia, saying the commander had contributed to divisions within Ukraine’s defence structures.
Syrskyi responded briefly on Telegram, saying he remained focused on the war and developing an effective military strategy. He also praised the 2022 defence of Kyiv against Russian forces and wished Fedorov success.
Fedorov, 35, had only served as defence minister since January but had gained popularity for pushing reforms, fighting corruption, expanding the use of technology and using data-driven methods to improve military performance.
Before entering the defence ministry, Fedorov served as Ukraine’s digital transformation minister and played a major role in creating the volunteer “IT Army of Ukraine”, which organised cyber operations against Russia following its full-scale invasion in 2022.
He later led the Army of Drones fundraising initiative and introduced technology-based approaches to warfare, including a system that rewarded military units for successful strikes on Russian targets.
During his time as defence minister, Fedorov continued focusing on drone warfare, advanced technology and defence procurement. He also appealed to SpaceX founder Elon Musk over Russia’s use of Starlink technology in drone operations, a move that reportedly disrupted Russian battlefield activities.
His ministry was also involved in Ukraine’s recent drone operations targeting Russian-controlled Crimea, with Fedorov previously pledging to cut off the peninsula’s connection with Russia through sustained strikes.
Following his dismissal, Fedorov said he would continue supporting Ukraine’s defence efforts through innovation, speed and organisational reforms.
Several supporters and former colleagues criticised the decision to remove him. Blogger Serhii Sternenko, who had served as an adviser to Fedorov, described him as one of Ukraine’s strongest defence ministers and blamed bureaucratic resistance for slowing reforms.
Drone commander Pavlo Yelizarov also resigned from his position in protest, calling Fedorov’s removal harmful to Ukraine’s defence capabilities.
A Ukrainian soldier who spoke to the BBC described the move as a major mistake, saying many members of the military and wider society supported Fedorov because of his reforms and leadership style.
Zelensky said he understood public anger over the decision, adding that he listened to citizens’ concerns and would respond accordingly.
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