Protests Erupt Across Ukraine Following Zelensky’s Dismissal of Defence Minister Fedorov

Protests have broken out in several Ukrainian cities in response to President Volodymyr Zelensky’s abrupt dismissal of the popular Defence Minister, Mykhailo Fedorov.

On Thursday morning, a predominantly young crowd gathered in Kyiv, brandishing signs reading “Hands off Fedorov” and “Stop sabotaging victory!” while chanting “Shame!”

Zelensky’s decision has caused significant disquiet among military analysts, the armed forces, and segments of civil society.

Speculation that Fedorov’s departure stemmed from tensions with Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi was effectively confirmed by both Fedorov and Zelensky.

On Thursday, Fedorov disclosed that he had recommended to Zelensky the replacement of both Syrskyi and the Chief of the General Staff, Andrii Hnatov.

Speaking at a press conference alongside UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Zelensky acknowledged that the friction between the General Staff and the Defence Ministry had been “systemic” and occurred “at various levels,” adding that Syrskyi and Fedorov would only function effectively with his direct mediation.

“When the president said he did not plan to replace Syrskyi, I… said I would learn to work with him,” Fedorov told his own press conference. “But all the initiatives we proposed were blocked,” he added.

“Instead of finding a way of defeating Russia asymmetrically—which is the commander-in-chief’s job—he’s found a way of splitting our country,” Fedorov said of Syrskyi.

In a terse Telegram post, Syrskyi responded that he was “proud” of the defence operation mounted around Kyiv in 2022 as Russian forces advanced, vowing to continue to “focus on the war and on an effective strategy,” before wishing Fedorov “continued success.”

Fedorov, 35, had held the post only since January but was widely credited with revitalizing the ministry, spearheading an anti-corruption drive, and leveraging data analytics to improve front-line performance.

Lawmakers were scheduled to vote Thursday on the proposed successor, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko; however, Zelensky clarified that Klymenko was merely one of several candidates under consideration and that no formal nomination had yet been submitted.

As part of the broader reshuffle, parliament approved the appointment of state energy chief Serhiy Koretsky as Prime Minister, following the resignation of Yuliia Svyrydenko earlier in the week.

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