Protesters Rally Across Ukraine Following Dismissal of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov
Hundreds of demonstrators gathered in central Kyiv on Thursday to protest President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s decision to dismiss Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. The protests, which also took place in cities including Lviv, Odesa, and Dnipro, followed a surprise cabinet reshuffle that saw the departure of a figure credited with significant defense reforms.
In Kyiv, protesters assembled near the Ivan Franko National Theatre, carrying placards and chanting slogans such as “Shame!” and “Bring Fedorov back.” The location is historically significant, situated near the presidential office where public pressure previously forced the reversal of a measure that would have stripped independence from Ukraine’s anticorruption agencies.
Fedorov’s Tenure and Departure
Mykhailo Fedorov, a 35-year-old technology specialist who previously served as Ukraine’s first minister for digital transformation, held the defense post for six months. Following the announcement of his dismissal, Fedorov wrote on X that it had been a “great honour to serve the Ukrainian people.”
He outlined several key achievements during his tenure, including the disabling of Starlink access for Russian forces, the isolation of occupied Crimea, and the expansion of domestic drone production. Supporters credit Fedorov with streamlining bureaucracy and introducing a data-driven approach to the war against Russia. However, he also faced criticism from some who argued he failed to deliver quickly enough on promises to overhaul military recruitment.
Supporters suggest his efforts to reform defense procurement and address corruption created friction within the political and military establishment. President Zelenskyy, speaking to reporters on Wednesday, appeared to acknowledge these tensions, stating he wanted the Ministry of Defence and military leadership to work with “greater unity.”
A Broader Government Reshuffle
The protest coincided with parliament’s approval of a new wartime government. The reshuffle, the fourth since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022, follows the resignation of Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko.
President Zelenskyy has nominated Naftogaz chief Sergiy Koretsky to replace Svyrydenko. Koretsky, who led the state-owned energy company through the previous winter, has a background in the private fuel industry, having previously led the WOG petrol station network and founded the Idealist Coffee Co chain.
Following his nomination, Koretsky stated on X that his “foremost task is to fully equip” Ukraine’s defense forces and “accelerate the expansion” of the nation’s defense industrial base. Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko is widely expected to succeed Fedorov as the new defense minister.
Public Sentiment and Political Stakes
The demonstrations were organized in part by activists who have participated in previous nationwide protests. Dmytro Koziatynskyi, a war veteran and protest organizer, had called on citizens to show the president their opposition to “constant reshuffles in the government and replacing effective ministers with convenient opportunists.” Daria Kaleniuk, co-founder of the Anti-Corruption Action Center, also expressed her intention to join the protests.
The political shake-up occurs at a time when Ukraine has stepped up its drone campaign against Russian energy infrastructure and military assets. Defense experts have described these strikes as pivotal in stalling Russian military momentum, though some have warned of the risk of escalation.
President Zelenskyy announced on Sunday that “Ukraine is changing its political strategy,” noting that priority areas of foreign policy would be assigned to individuals with “substantial experience” capable of implementing specific goals. As the new government takes shape, the protesters’ demands reflect a deeper public concern regarding the stability and direction of Ukraine’s leadership during the ongoing conflict with Moscow.
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