Kyiv Protests Erupt After Zelenskyy Removes Defence Minister

Demonstrations have erupted across major Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv, Lviv, and Odesa, following President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's surprise dismissal of Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. Protesters gathered in Kyiv’s Ivan Franko Square to voice opposition to the decision, chanting slogans like "Shame!" and "Hands off Fedorov." The cabinet reshuffle coincides with parliament’s approval of a new wartime government, which includes the appointment of former Naftogaz chief Serhiy Koretsky as the new prime minister, replacing Yuliia Svyrydenko.

Fedorov, a 35-year-old technology specialist credited with revolutionizing Ukraine's defense procurement, modernizing recruitment, and launching the "Army of Drones" project, has faced internal friction. His tenure was marked by a relentless drive against corruption and a data-driven strategy against Russian forces. Reports suggest that his dismissal stems from deep-seated tensions with Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi. Fedorov claimed that his proposals for asymmetric warfare were blocked by military leadership, leading to a breakdown in coordination within the government.

The removal of such a popular figure has sparked fears of bureaucratic regression and a potential shift in the effectiveness of Ukraine’s high-tech defensive strategy. While President Zelenskyy framed the reshuffle as necessary for greater governmental unity, the public backlash highlights deep divisions within society and the military regarding the current leadership's direction. With Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko expected to assume the defense portfolio, the administration faces the critical challenge of maintaining operational momentum and public trust while managing frontline defense during the ongoing war with Russia.