Disagreements in Ukraine prompt Defense Minister's resignation

Kyiv - AFP - Hours after a bloody exchange of strikes between Russia and Ukraine, hundreds of Ukrainians gathered in Kyiv and other cities on Thursday to protest the resignation of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, who is highly popular, as part of a cabinet reshuffle desired by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Fedorov, appointed defense minister in January, is seen as a reformer seeking to modernize the military and introduce new technologies to the front lines to reduce casualties among soldiers. He announced his departure from the post on Wednesday evening.

His departure, viewed as a dismissal following Zelenskyy’s announcement of a cabinet reshuffle, has raised significant concerns about the future of the Ukrainian forces, which have recently succeeded in halting Russian advances on the front and increasing pressure on Moscow by striking targets deep inside Russia.

On Tuesday, parliament approved the resignation of Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, whom Zelenskyy had dismissed two days earlier, necessitating the departure of all ministers from her government.

Although the cabinet reshuffle has not yet been finalized, the possibility that Fedorov would not be reappointed sparked anger among a segment of the population.

Fedorov told journalists in Kyiv, “Instead of focusing on how to defeat Russia—which is the responsibility of the Commander-in-Chief—he found a way to divide the country we live in today,” a reference to Syrskyi.

Many protesters held signs against Syrskyi, with media outlets suggesting that the rift was behind Fedorov’s dismissal.

Ukrainian Joint Forces Commander Mykhailo Drapatyi also praised the military transformation launched by the resigning minister in a rare public comment.

However, Syrskyi defended his record and called for focusing on the war.

The Army Commander-in-Chief said via the Telegram app, “We must focus on the war and on an effective strategy that is currently delivering tangible results,” expressing his gratitude to the departing minister “for his work.”

Commenting on the rift between Fedorov and Drapatyi, Zelenskyy said, “Frankly, a president whose country is at war should not have to make such choices under similar circumstances,” adding, “I strongly desire unity.”

Ukrainian media reported that demonstrations were also held in Odesa in the south, Kharkiv in the northeast, Dnipro in the east-central region, and Lviv in the west.

Protesters gathered in the same square that witnessed anti-corruption protests that shook Ukraine last summer, following a widespread scandal involving close associates of Zelenskyy.

The Ukrainian president had tasked the 35-year-old minister with injecting new energy into Kyiv’s war effort, which has been resisting the Russian invasion for more than four years.

Fedorov spent much of the war years promoting advanced technologies, particularly drones, to compensate for shortages in soldiers, funding, and ammunition.

Many see Fedorov as a symbol of renewal in the face of an army accused by critics of being stagnant under the weight of corruption and bureaucracy inherited from the Soviet era.

On the previous day, Defense Ministry advisor Serhiy Sternenko also announced his departure from his post via the Telegram app.