▲ Mykhailo Fedorov, Minister of Defense of Ukraine
A significant backlash is underway following reports that Ukraine's Minister of Defense, who has been pushing for a military overhaul centered on drones, has been dismissed after conflicts with the military establishment.
With a key commander of Ukraine's drone warfare operations resigning in protest and rare anti-government demonstrations breaking out during wartime, observers suggest that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is facing a major political test.
Mykhailo Fedorov, the Ukrainian Minister of Defense, announced his resignation on social media on July 16 (local time), stating, "It has been a great honor to serve the people of Ukraine as Minister of Defense."
He reflected on his tenure, highlighting the expansion of investment in drones and the neutralization of Russia's use of Starlink as his major achievements.
This cabinet reshuffle follows an announcement made by President Zelenskyy on July 12 regarding changes to the government.
Serhiy Koretsky, CEO of the state-owned energy company Naftogaz, has been appointed as the new Prime Minister.
Fedorov, 35, had been driving a military transformation focused on drones since his appointment in January of this year.
He is credited with initiating the development of domestic drones to replace the Chinese-made combat drones previously used by the Ukrainian military, as well as working on the development of AI-powered weapons and defense systems.
This is why Fedorov is considered both inside and outside Ukraine as a key contributor to the country's recent ability to pressure Russia using long-range drones.
However, it is reported that he clashed with the military establishment while attempting to reform the defense procurement system.
Some observers also suggest that criticism regarding his failure to swiftly implement reforms to the conscription system served as a backdrop for the cabinet reshuffle.
On this day, Fedorov identified "reforming the Ministry of Defense to meet NATO standards and common sense" as one of the tasks that remains unfinished.
As news of the plan to replace Fedorov spread, public opposition has been growing.
According to reports from AFP and other outlets, large-scale protests against the replacement of Minister Fedorov took place across Ukraine on the morning of July 16.
In Kyiv, more than 1,000 protesters gathered in front of the Presidential Office, chanting slogans such as "This is a shame" and "Bring back Fedorov."
Pavlo Yelizarov, Deputy Commander of the Ukrainian Air Force and a key commander in drone warfare, resigned in protest of the defense minister's replacement.
He criticized the move, stating, "The dismissal of the Minister of Defense is a tremendous harm to Ukraine's national defense."
Oleksandr Merezhko, a lawmaker from the ruling party, also expressed his disappointment, saying, "Minister Fedorov was a hope for true reform within the Ministry of Defense."
As the backlash intensified, Fedorov strongly criticized Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, hinting that the conflict with the military was the cause of his sudden replacement.
Syrskyi, 60, is the figure who directed the defense of Kyiv in February 2022 and successfully led the counter-offensive in Kharkiv seven months later.
Fedorov told reporters, "Instead of thinking about how to defeat Russia, Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi only schemed about how to divide the country."
He also mentioned that he had been offered an advisory role by President Zelenskyy but had declined it.
As public opposition to the defense minister's replacement grows, President Zelenskyy has not yet made the replacement plan official.
Regarding speculation that Minister of Internal Affairs Ihor Klymenko would be appointed as the successor, the President said, "Minister Klymenko is one of the candidates," adding, "There is no official nomination submitted to the parliament yet, and we will review this matter again."
The Associated Press analyzed that "this cabinet reshuffle could serve as a test of President Zelenskyy's political leadership."
(Photo: Getty Images)
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