Protests Erupt Across Ukraine After Zelenskyy Dismisses Defence Minister

Protests have erupted across Ukraine after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, a popular reformer credited with modernising the country's military and expanding drone warfare capabilities. Critics say his removal could weaken Ukraine's defence efforts, while Zelenskyy acknowledged tensions within the military leadership but insisted he remains committed to resolving the situation

Protests have broken out in several Ukrainian cities following President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's decision to dismiss Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, a move that has sparked widespread criticism from soldiers, military analysts, politicians and sections of civil society.
Demonstrators gathered in the capital, Kyiv, and other cities, accusing the president of undermining military reforms at a critical stage of the war with Russia.

DEMONSTRATORS DEMAND FEDOROV'S RETURN

Hundreds of protesters, many of them young Ukrainians, gathered in central Kyiv carrying placards with messages such as "Hands off Fedorov" and "Stop Sabotaging Victory."
The demonstrators chanted "Shame!" while expressing concern that the dismissal could weaken Ukraine's defence efforts.
Similar protests were reported in other parts of the country as public dissatisfaction with the decision continued to grow.

FEDOROV REVEALS DISAGREEMENT WITH MILITARY LEADERSHIP

Speaking publicly after his dismissal, Fedorov disclosed that he had advised President Zelenskyy to replace Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi and Chief of the General Staff Andrii Hnatov.
According to Fedorov, disagreements between the Defence Ministry and the military leadership had become deeply rooted and repeatedly blocked proposed reforms.
Although he agreed to continue working with Syrskyi after Zelenskyy indicated there would be no change in military leadership, Fedorov said many of his initiatives failed to move forward.
He argued that Ukraine needed more innovative military strategies rather than internal divisions.

ZELENSKYY ACKNOWLEDGES TENSIONS

President Zelenskyy admitted there had been long-standing disagreements between the Defence Ministry and the military command.
Speaking during a joint press conference with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the Ukrainian leader described the disagreements as "systemic" and said he had personally tried to mediate between both sides.
Despite the protests, Zelenskyy said he understood public concerns and insisted he was listening carefully to citizens' opinions.
He also confirmed that no final decision had yet been made regarding Fedorov's permanent replacement.

DEFENCE MINISTER CREDITED WITH MAJOR REFORMS

Fedorov served as Defence Minister for only a few months but quickly earned widespread praise for introducing reforms aimed at modernising Ukraine's armed forces.
He intensified anti-corruption measures within the ministry, expanded the use of battlefield data to improve military performance and accelerated procurement reforms.
Previously serving as Minister of Digital Transformation, he played a leading role in creating Ukraine's "IT Army" to conduct cyber operations against Russia and later launched the successful "Army of Drones" programme, which significantly strengthened Ukraine's drone capabilities.
His ministry also supported major drone operations targeting Russian military infrastructure and occupied Crimea.

SOLDIERS EXPRESS DISAPPOINTMENT

The dismissal has generated strong reactions from military personnel.
Several soldiers described the decision as damaging to Ukraine's defence capabilities, arguing that Fedorov had earned the confidence of frontline troops through his reform agenda.
A number of military officers and advisers who worked closely with him also criticised the decision, with some resigning from their positions in protest.
Prominent drone commander Pavlo Yelizarov stepped down from his post, describing the dismissal as a serious setback for Ukraine's military effectiveness.

POLITICAL UNCERTAINTY CONTINUES

As part of the wider cabinet reshuffle, Ukraine's parliament approved Serhiy Koretsky, former head of the state oil and gas company Naftogaz, as the country's new prime minister following the resignation of Yuliia Svyrydenko.
Meanwhile, uncertainty remains over who will become Ukraine's next defence minister.
Although Zelenskyy reportedly offered Fedorov a position as a presidential adviser, the former minister declined, saying he preferred to remain guided by his conscience while continuing to support Ukraine's defence through other means.
The controversy has become one of the most politically sensitive moments of Zelenskyy's presidency, with many observers warning that maintaining unity within Ukraine's political and military leadership will remain crucial as the war continues