Chmut: Fedorov's dismissal is the biggest mistake that could lead to losing the war

Taras Chmut, director of the Come Back Alive Foundation, gave an interview to Ukrainska Pravda expressing surprise and confusion over President Zelenskyy's decision to dismiss Mykhailo Fedorov as defense minister. He emphasized that to replace one minister, the entire cabinet was reshuffled, casting aside others who had shown determination and readiness to work.

Chmut revealed that the conflict between then-Defense Minister Fedorov and Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi was inevitable and known to the president from the start. Fedorov's initiatives were consistently blocked by the General Staff, preventing necessary reforms. Chmut called Fedorov's dismissal "the biggest mistake of recent years" that could ultimately lead to losing the war.

He warned of an illusion that the war will continue in its current form, comparing the situation to 2021 when many did not believe a full-scale invasion was possible. Chmut criticized "reverse natural selection" in the military, where truth-telling commanders are not promoted while loyalty is valued over competence.

Regarding potential successors to Syrskyi, Chmut listed only four candidates: Andrii Biletskyi, Mykhailo Drapatyi, Oleh Apostol, and Ihor Obolienskyi. He stressed that such a limited number indicates a systemic problem in military leadership development.

Chmut also commented on the appointment of Yevhenii Khmara as acting defense minister, suggesting it may be an attempt to offset public and international backlash.