Ukrainian Military Leadership in Turmoil as Protests Erupt Over Defense Minister's Dismissal

Ukraine's military leadership is facing significant instability as protests against the dismissal of the defense minister continue to spread.

It is reported that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is now considering replacing the commander-in-chief.

The British newspaper Financial Times reported this news on July 18 (local time), citing a senior government official.

The official stated that President Zelenskyy plans to convene military commanders this weekend to hear assessments of the current battlefield situation.

The official added that the president also intends to personally interview potential candidates to succeed Oleksandr Syrskyi, the current Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The explanation is that a change in command is possible if a smooth transition can be ensured while maintaining a secure defense of the front lines.

The conflict stems from an open feud between 35-year-old former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, a civilian, and 60-year-old Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi.

Internal tensions escalated further following the abrupt dismissal of former Minister Fedorov on July 15.

On July 16 and 17 (local time), war veterans and active-duty soldiers held large-scale protests to strongly oppose the dismissal decision.

They have fiercely demanded the resignation of Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi, and the rallies are expected to continue through the weekend of July 18.

Dmytro Koziatynskyi, a veteran who led the protests, emphasized on his social media, "The top priority of this protest is the dismissal of Syrskyi."

He further demanded the reinstatement of former Minister Fedorov.

The conflict between the two key figures arose over the core strategies and tactics of the Ukrainian military in its fight against Russian forces.

Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi, who took office in February 2024, has prioritized assault infantry and artillery in accordance with the traditions of the former Soviet military.

He has even earned the dishonorable nickname of "The Butcher" for prioritizing the achievement of military objectives even at the cost of troop casualties.

During his past tenure as Commander of the Ground Forces, he was responsible for the defense of Kyiv and led successful counter-offensive operations in Kharkiv and Kherson.

In contrast, former Minister Fedorov, who served as Minister of Digital Transformation before taking office as Defense Minister in January of this year, has pushed for the strengthening of drone capabilities.

Along with this, he actively sought ways to reduce troop casualties and discharge soldiers who have served for long periods.

Former Minister Fedorov claimed that Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi had issued a so-called "ultimatum" to President Zelenskyy, demanding his dismissal.

At a press conference held the day after his dismissal, Fedorov strongly criticized Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi, alleging that he is obstructing defense ministry reforms and turning a blind eye to corruption.

While acknowledging his past contributions, the criticism is that he is refusing to change as the nature of the war evolves.

Former Minister Fedorov raised his voice, stating, "To defeat the enemy with minimal losses, we must replace the commander-in-chief and the chief of the general staff."

He also repeatedly urged President Zelenskyy to reshuffle the military leadership and dismiss Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi.

In response, Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi has avoided requests for comment from the media and has not yet issued a public statement.

President Zelenskyy told reporters that the relationship between the two had deteriorated significantly, lamenting, "Without me, they don't even sit down and talk to each other."

Foreign media reported that Western partners and NATO officials, who had supported former Minister Fedorov's reforms, were shocked by his sudden dismissal.

Meanwhile, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, who served as military commander-in-chief before Syrskyi, has been serving as the Ukrainian Ambassador to the United Kingdom since July 2024, following his departure from the post.

In the case of former Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, who stepped down in this cabinet reshuffle, she has declined the position of Ukrainian Ambassador to the United States, but the presidential office is expected to continue its efforts to persuade her.

The post of Ambassador to the U.S. is considered a key diplomatic position that plays a critical role in setting relations with U.S. President Trump and addressing war support issues.

Currently, Oksana Markarova serves as the Ukrainian Ambassador to the U.S., having assumed the post in August of last year.

Separately, according to announcements by Russian authorities, drone attacks by Ukraine continued from the night of July 17 to the early hours of July 18, leaving at least 7 people dead and 51 injured.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.