Chmut: Fedorov's dismissal is the biggest mistake; Ukraine forgets war can change

Taras Chmut, head of the 'Come Back Alive' foundation, gave an interview to Ukrainska Pravda in which he sharply criticized President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's decision not to nominate Mykhailo Fedorov for the post of defense minister in the new government. According to Chmut, this is the biggest mistake in recent years, which could lead to Ukraine's defeat in the war.

Chmut noted that the conflict between Fedorov and Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi was known from the very beginning and was inevitable for reforms. Fedorov's team, which had previously worked on innovations and drone procurement, was aware of the existing contradictions. However, after Fedorov's dismissal, Chmut believes Ukraine is in a dangerous situation: society is demoralized, the army is exhausted, and a front collapse could happen.

He warned that Ukrainian society has forgotten that war can change: "We live in an illusion that war will remain as it is now. But it can become different, and it will be very painful." Chmut also criticized the army's personnel selection system, where loyal but uninitiative people advance, while those who tell the truth are removed.

Regarding the potential replacement of Syrskyi, Chmut named only four possible candidates: Biletskyi, Drapatyi, Apostol, and Obolenskyi. He emphasized that such a narrow circle indicates systemic problems, as a normal army would have dozens of suitable generals.

About the newly appointed acting defense minister Yevhen Khmara, Chmut said he has no objections to the man, but he doubts the new minister can quickly solve the accumulated problems in the huge ministry with a budget over a trillion.