Fired Defense Minister Fedorov Publicly Accuses Ukraine's Top General Syrskyi
Dismissed Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov accused General Oleksandr Syrskyi of blocking reforms, as President Zelensky chose to keep the commander-in-chief.
Former Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov confirmed during a tense press conference on Thursday that his dismissal was linked to a conflict with the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Oleksandr Syrskyi. Fedorov accused Syrskyi of hindering military reforms and dividing the state, stating that President Volodymyr Zelensky had to choose between the two and decided to keep the general.
The decision sparked widespread protests. Thousands of people, mostly young, took to the streets in Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities on Thursday, holding signs reading "Hands off Fedorov!" and "Stop sabotaging victory!" while chanting "Shame!" and demanding Fedorov's reinstatement. Crowds gathered outside the Presidential Office in central Kyiv.
Fedorov also clarified that he never gave Zelensky an ultimatum of "either me or Syrskyi," despite long-standing disagreements with the top general. Zelensky has yet to provide an official reason for the dismissal.
