Protests have surfaced in cities across Ukraine following President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's dismissal of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. The decision has been met with significant dismay among civil society and members of the military, with many questioning the reasoning behind the move.
"This is the worst mistake Zelensky has made during his entire presidency," a Ukrainian soldier identified only as Oleksandr told the BBC. Oleksandr stated he joined the army earlier this year, trusting Fedorov's team and vision, and added that he knows "no one who supports the decision to replace him. Not within the army, not in society."
Maria Lavrynets, 31, who was present at a protest in Kyiv's central Ivan Franko square, expressed similar sentiments. "I have lots of friends in the military. Lots of them died. I don't want this to go on," she said. "We see [Fedorov's] results. We see the motivation of the soldiers, we should stand for them."
Fedorov, formerly the minister of digital transformation, was brought into the defense ministry with a mandate to restructure its operations, which many in Ukraine perceive as burdened by bureaucracy and outdated Soviet-era practices. He was active in the early days of Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, establishing a volunteer "IT Army of Ukraine" to conduct cyber-attacks against Russian targets. He also led the successful "Army of Drones" fundraising campaign and introduced "gamification" elements to the war effort, creating a system that awarded Ukrainian military units for successfully striking Russian assets.
President Zelenskyy has not publicly explained the reasons for Fedorov's dismissal. The lack of an official explanation has contributed to the public's confusion and dissatisfaction, fueling protests and online discussions.
Ukrainian news outlets have reported on the protests, highlighting the strong public support for Fedorov and the calls for his reinstatement. The military and civil society groups have voiced concerns that this dismissal could negatively impact morale and ongoing defense initiatives.
The situation remains fluid as the Ukrainian public and military await further clarification from the president's office regarding the decision.