Ukraine Faces Rare Protests After Zelensky Ousts Popular Defense Minister Fedorov

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is confronting an unusual wave of public and political backlash following his decision to dismiss Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. The move, part of a broader government reshuffle, sparked mass protests in Kyiv with thousands rallying outside the presidential office demanding Fedorov's reinstatement. The protests are among the most intense against Zelensky since the Russian invasion began in 2022.

Fedorov, known as the "high-tech minister," earned widespread acclaim for accelerating military procurement, expanding drone production, and implementing anti-corruption reforms within the Defense Ministry. His efforts significantly bolstered Ukraine's defense capabilities, contributing to recent successes on the battlefield and deep strikes into Russian territory. The dismissal reportedly stemmed from tensions between Fedorov and senior military officials, including Army Commander Oleksandr Syrskyi.

The controversy also triggered resignations within the military, notably from Pavlo Yelyzarov, deputy commander of the Air Force's drone unit, who warned that removing Fedorov would severely damage Ukraine's defense capacity. Even media outlets close to Zelensky, such as UNITED24 Media, paused operations to allow staff to join the protests. Some members of Zelensky's Servant of the People party have expressed potential opposition to the president's nominee to replace Fedorov.

This upheaval coincides with Zelensky's dismissal of Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko and the entire cabinet, with parliament expected to appoint a new prime minister soon. Zelensky has endorsed Serhiy Korcsky, CEO of the state energy company Naftogaz, to lead the government, citing the need to prepare for the upcoming winter amid ongoing conflict. Discussions are reportedly ongoing about possibly reinstating Fedorov due to the growing unrest.

Prominent figures, including parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Oleksandr Merezhko and drone warfare expert Maria Berlinska, criticized the dismissal as a major mistake that could undermine reform momentum and defense effectiveness. Fedorov himself acknowledged his tenure's achievements on Telegram, highlighting increased drone investments and procurement reforms, while emphasizing the need to align the Defense Ministry with NATO standards. Supporters argue his reforms threatened entrenched interests within the military establishment, though some parliamentarians criticized his pace on recruitment reforms. Before becoming defense minister, Fedorov served as Ukraine's first digital transformation minister, spearheading the consolidation of government services into a widely used digital app.