Abrupt sacking of defense minister fuels tensions in Ukraine; Zelensky faces public discontent

President Volodymyr Zelensky has encountered waves of protests in several Ukrainian cities after deciding to dismiss Mykhailo Fedorov from the post of defense minister without giving any public explanation.

In the capital Kyiv, a group of dozens of citizens, mostly young people, marched with banners expressing opposition to the minister’s removal and calling for a review of the act. They accused the political leadership of deliberately stalling the reform process within the armed forces.

Fedorov served at the helm of the defense ministry for a six-month period, during which he received positive marks for modernization efforts of military structures, integration of technological solutions on the battlefield, and advancing drone programs that have given the Ukrainian army an advantage in the conflict with Russia.

The lack of an official reason for this move has generated a strong wave of reactions from analysts, factions within the military, and civil society groups.

In a statement, Fedorov himself acknowledged the existence of divergences over the army’s strategic orientation and stressed that some of his projects had encountered obstacles. He also added that he had been offered another position within the administration by Zelensky, an offer which he had turned down.

As part of a broader government reshuffle, the Ukrainian parliament is expected to approve the appointment of Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko to the post left vacant by Fedorov. In parallel, Zelensky has nominated the head of the state oil and gas company, Serhiy Koretsky, for the post of prime minister.

These significant changes come at a delicate moment for the country, as Ukraine prepares to face a harsh winter under the constant threat of Russian attacks targeting its energy grid.