Public Outcry Following Cabinet Reshuffle
Hundreds of demonstrators gathered near the Ivan Franko National Theatre in central Kyiv on Thursday to protest the dismissal of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. The protests, which also spread to cities including Lviv, Odesa, and Dnipro, reflect deep-seated concerns over the stability of Ukraine’s military leadership during the ongoing war with Russia.
Fedorov, a 35-year-old former minister for digital transformation, was widely credited with modernizing Ukraine’s drone warfare and streamlining military procurement. His departure marks the most significant change in a broader cabinet reshuffle initiated by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, which also saw the appointment of Naftogaz chief Sergiy Koretsky as the new prime minister.
Military Rifts Exposed
The transition has brought internal military tensions into the public eye. In a statement posted to X, Fedorov openly criticized military chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, alleging that the commander-in-chief had prioritized internal political maneuvers over strategic military objectives. Fedorov claimed that his removal was the result of an ultimatum issued by Syrskyi to the President following months of friction.
“Instead of figuring out how to defeat Russia asymmetrically, he figured out how to split the country,” Fedorov stated. The outgoing minister further cited concerns regarding bureaucratic inertia, warning that the current configuration of the military establishment could hinder Ukraine’s ability to sustain the war effort.
Government Reorganization
President Zelenskyy has called for national unity, appointing Yevgeniy Khmara, the head of the SBU security service, as the acting defense minister. Zelenskyy praised Khmara’s experience in technological combat operations as a vital asset for the ministry’s future.
Parliament also confirmed several other key appointments on Thursday, including Vsevolod Chentsov as Deputy Prime Minister for European integration and the retention of Serhii Marchenko as finance minister. Incoming Prime Minister Sergiy Koretsky emphasized that his primary focus will be the expansion of Ukraine’s domestic defense industrial base and the continued support of frontline communities.