Ukrainian protesters in the capital and other cities have taken to the streets after President Volodymyr Zelensky’s sudden dismissal of Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov.
Crowds—mostly young people—gathered in Kyiv holding signs such as “Hands off Fedorov,” “Stop sabotaging victory!” and chanting “Shame!” The decision, made without a brief explanation, has stirred unease among military officials and civilians alike.
Fedorov, who joined the government in January, had already transformed the defence ministry from a perceived bureaucratic relic into an agile force that leveraged data and cyber‑operations. A former digital‑transformation minister, he helped launch the “IT Army of Ukraine” to conduct cyber‑attacks against Russian forces and led the “Army of Drones” fundraising campaign that introduced gamification into the war effort.
Government officials say that the replacement will be Ihor Klymenko, who currently heads the interior ministry. However, many commentators have linked the dismissal to a clash between Fedorov and Commander‑in‑Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi and to perceived delays in overhauling the mobilisation system.
Soldiers and civil society members have been quick to condemn the move. One Ukrainian soldier said, “This is the worst mistake Zelensky has made during his entire presidency.” Maria Lavrynets, 31, at a protest in Idan Frank square, lamented, “We see Fedorov’s results—motivation of the soldiers—and we should stand for them.”
Fedorov’s legacy includes a partnership with SpaceX’s Elon Musk to hinder Russian drone attacks via Starlink, and his ministry’s key role in recent strikes on the Moscow‑occupied Crimean peninsula. After his dismissal, Fedorov highlighted his achievements on social media and vowed to keep fighting the enemy through asymmetric tactics and organisational strength.
The protest wave has highlighted a broader debate over Ukraine’s defence strategy, with questions of leadership stability, reform pace, and the potential impact on the country's ongoing struggle for security.
