Zelenskyy dismisses Defense Minister Fedorov; feud with army chief sparks protests
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy fired Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov due to a heated conflict with the army commander General Oleksandr Syrskyi, triggering protests in Kyiv and surprising international allies.
Turmoil has gripped Kyiv after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, a popular tech-savvy reformer, citing an irreconcilable feud with Army Commander General Oleksandr Syrskyi. The conflict spilled into public view during press briefings on Thursday.
Zelenskyy said he was forced to choose because the two could not work together. "They even refused to sit at the same table without me," he told reporters. Fedorov accused Syrskyi of blocking his initiatives and plotting against him, ultimately issuing an ultimatum for his removal. Syrskyi responded by thanking Fedorov but emphasizing his role in defending Kyiv in 2022, which he said allowed Fedorov to speak freely today.
Protesters in Kyiv held a "cardboard demonstration" demanding Fedorov's reinstatement. Acting Defense Minister Yevhenii Khmara, the head of Ukraine's SBU intelligence agency, was appointed temporarily until he formally resigns from the military.
During his six months in office, Fedorov convinced SpaceX to disable Starlink terminals used by Russian forces and spearheaded drone strikes deep behind front lines. However, key reforms on troop pay and volunteer integration fell short. His dismissal drew surprise from allies: German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius praised him, while a NATO diplomat called the decision "very surprising" and unwise. Colonel Pavlo Yelizarov resigned in solidarity.
Analysts say the underlying tension between the defense ministry and military command is structural. "If the minister starts questioning the general staff's orders, conflict arises," said defense analyst Mykola Bielieskov. The EU, planning further billions in defense investment, now faces uncertainty over reforms.
