By Peace Udugba
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has dismissed Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov following what he described as an irreconcilable conflict between the minister and the country’s Commander-in-Chief, General Oleksandr Syrskyi.
Zelenskyy said the two senior officials could no longer work together effectively at a critical stage of Ukraine’s war with Russia, forcing him to choose between them. He opted to retain Syrskyi as military chief and remove Fedorov.
Fedorov had been widely credited with driving key military reforms, including expanding Ukraine’s drone warfare capabilities, modernising defence procurement systems and introducing measures aimed at combating corruption in the military.
He had also openly criticised sections of the military leadership, accusing them of resisting reforms and relying on outdated Soviet-era practices.
The dismissal has triggered one of Ukraine’s most significant political crises since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022.
Thousands of demonstrators reportedly gathered in Kyiv to protest the decision, describing Fedorov as one of Ukraine’s most effective reformers. The development also prompted the resignation of some military officers and government officials in protest.
Critics have warned that the shake-up could slow military reforms and deepen divisions within Ukraine’s defence establishment at a time when the country continues to battle Russian forces.
Despite the backlash, Zelenskyy defended the move, saying maintaining unity within the military command is essential during wartime and that effective coordination among senior leaders remains a top priority.
