Ukraine’s wartime government shaken by defence minister’s dismissal and mass protests

Protests have erupted in several Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv, Lviv, Odesa, and Dnipro, following President Volodymyr Zelensky’s surprise dismissal of Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. Demonstrators, described as mostly young, gathered in central Kyiv on Thursday morning holding signs such as "Hands off Fedorov" and "Stop sabotaging victory!", while chanting "Shame!". The decision has caused significant upset among the military, civil society, and commentators, with no official explanation provided by the President.

Fedorov, aged 35, was appointed only in January and was credited with energising the ministry, leading anti-corruption drives, and using data to improve front-line performance. Specific initiatives attributed to Fedorov include the volunteer "IT Army of Ukraine", the "Army of Drones" fundraising campaign, and a "gamification" system awarding credits to military units for hitting Russian assets. Fedorov previously contacted SpaceX founder Elon Musk to restrict Russia’s use of Starlink satellites for drone attacks.

Fedorov’s ministry played a significant role in recent attacks on the Moscow-occupied Crimean peninsula, with Fedorov previously vowing to "cut off" the region using mid-range drone strikes. In a Facebook post after his dismissal, Fedorov listed his achievements and stated he would continue to defeat the enemy through "asymmetry, speed of innovation, and organisational strength". Serhii Sternenko, a prominent blogger and Fedorov’s adviser, hailed him as the "best minister of defence in our entire history".

Some observers link the dismissal to tensions between Fedorov and Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, or to perceived slowness in overhauling military mobilisation. Prominent figures, including drone unit commander Pavlo Yelizarov, have resigned from their positions in protest of the sacking. Yelizarov called the move "a great evil for the country's defence capability".

MPs are scheduled to vote on Ihor Klymenko, currently the head of the interior ministry, as Fedorov’s replacement. The unrest reflects a broader anxiety among citizens that the dismissal undermines the modernisation efforts that have characterised the past six months of Fedorov’s tenure.