Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismisses Ukraine’s defence minister on eve of Starmer visit | Ukraine
Volodymyr Zelenskyy has sacked Ukraine’s popular defense minister despite calls from foreign partners and civil society for him to remain in his post as part of a sweeping government reshuffle.
In a post on Telegram, Mykhailo Fedorov announced that he was leaving his post, saying it was “a great honor” to serve the Ukrainian people. He is widely credited with transforming the defense ministry and reducing corruption.
His six-month tenure coincided with a dramatic improvement in Ukraine’s position on the battlefield. Kiev has repeatedly struck Russian oil refineries with long-range drones, embarrassing Vladimir Putin and creating fuel shortages across the country.
35-year-old Fedorov listed his achievements in his farewell message. These included disabling Starlink for Russian troops and procuring more drones that would be used to destroy “enemy logistics” and isolate occupied Crimea. He said he had “radically improved” the procurement system, saving “billions of dollars” in the state budget.
On the day of departure, the minister announced that the Ukrainian army had successfully tested a ballistic missile. “We fundamentally revised the technical requirements and achieved maximum accuracy. We reduced the cost by 30%. Ukraine will enter a new league,” he said.
It is thought that the sacking will overshadow Keir Starmer’s visit to Kyiv. The British prime minister, who will step down this week, arrived on Thursday to celebrate the country’s support for Ukraine during his time as prime minister.
It is unclear whether Fedorov will take another cabinet post. On Wednesday, Ukraine’s parliament accepted the resignation of prime minister Yulia Svyrydenko after Zelenskyy said his government needed to be reset. He will most likely be replaced by Serhiy Koretskyi, head of the energy company Naftogaz.
Fedorov’s dismissal angered his supporters and came amid rumors that he was fighting with Ukraine’s commander-in-chief, Col. Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi. Friends of Ukraine, including former US ambassador to Moscow Michael McFaul, this week called on Zelenskyy to keep Fedorov in his post.
Serhii Sternenko, an aide to the dismissed minister, wrote bitterly: “It is a pity that our country is significantly far from victory today. Real reforms have not even been allowed to begin, although we have still managed to create a huge amount of change.” He complained of “deliberate delays” and “bureaucratic obstacles.”
Opposition politician Iryna Gerashchenko condemned the move. Speaking in Ukraine’s parliament before the news was confirmed, she asked: “How is it that Zelenskyy’s only sensible appointment, Minister Fedorov, is in limbo today?”
Online commenters were harsh. Within minutes of the announcement, thousands of people posted messages supporting Fedorov. One clearly wrote: “I don’t understand this decision.” Another added: “A minister who gives hope to millions and shows what can happen when you care about your country’s victory.”
Artem Bronzhukov, vice president of the policy think tank, called the rapid change of defense ministers in Ukraine “abnormal” in a country waging a large-scale war against an enemy like Russia. He said that within “three or four months” Fedorov had noticeably improved the situation at the front line and beyond.
Bronzhukov said, “Results are noticeable in the medium attacks, when Ukraine turns the Crimean peninsula into a virtual island. Against this background, there is confidence in Mykhailo Fedorov. He is supported by our Western partners, he is supported by the progressive part of society.” He told Radio NV.
