Volodymyr Zelenskyy has dismissed Ukraine’s popular defence minister, Mykhailo Fedorov, despite pleas from foreign partners and civil society for him to keep his job, as part of a wide-ranging government reshuffle. The move comes on the eve of a visit by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to Kyiv, underscoring the political turbulence in wartime Ukraine.
Why Was the Defence Minister Sacked?
Fedorov, 35, was widely credited with transforming the defence ministry and reducing corruption. His six months in office coincided with a dramatic improvement in Ukraine’s position on the battlefield. In a farewell post on Telegram, he listed his achievements, including disabling Starlink for Russian troops and procuring more drones used to destroy enemy logistics and isolate occupied Crimea.
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He also revealed that Ukraine’s military had successfully tested a ballistic missile, stating: “We fundamentally revised the technical requirements and achieved maximum accuracy. We reduced the cost by 30%. Ukraine will enter a new league.” Despite these successes, Zelenskyy pushed forward with the reshuffle, citing the need for a government reset.
Impact on the War and International Relations
The sacking appeared likely to overshadow Keir Starmer’s visit to Kyiv. The British prime minister, who is due to leave office this week, arrived to mark the UK’s support for Ukraine during his premiership. Meanwhile, Kyiv has repeatedly hit Russian oil refineries with long-range drones, embarrassing Vladimir Putin and creating nationwide fuel shortages.
Fedorov’s removal has outraged his supporters and comes amid rumours of a feud with Ukraine’s commander in chief, Col Gen Oleksandr Syrskyi. It is unclear if Fedorov will get another cabinet post, though his departure leaves a significant gap in the defence leadership.
Government Reshuffle Details
On Wednesday, Ukraine’s parliament accepted the resignation of prime minister Yulia Svyrydenko after Zelenskyy said his government needed a reset. Her replacement is likely to be Serhiy Koretskyi, the head of the energy company Naftogaz. The reshuffle signals a strategic shift in Kyiv’s wartime administration.
| Key Figure | Previous Role | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Mykhailo Fedorov | Defence Minister | Dismissed |
| Yulia Svyrydenko | Prime Minister | Resigned |
| Serhiy Koretskyi | Head of Naftogaz | Likely PM Replacement |
Key Takeaways
- Zelenskyy dismissed defence minister Fedorov despite his battlefield successes and anti-corruption reforms.
- The reshuffle includes the resignation of the prime minister and potential new leadership at Naftogaz.
- International allies, including the UK, remain supportive but concerned about political stability in wartime.
- Fedorov’s achievements include drone procurement and ballistic missile testing, saving billions for the state budget.
FAQ
Why did Zelenskyy dismiss the defence minister?
Zelenskyy dismissed Mykhailo Fedorov as part of a wide-ranging government reshuffle, citing the need for a reset in wartime leadership despite Fedorov’s popular reforms and battlefield successes.
What were Fedorov’s main achievements as defence minister?
Fedorov improved procurement systems, saved billions of dollars, disabled Starlink for Russian troops, procured more drones, and oversaw the successful test of a ballistic missile with 30% cost reduction.
How does this reshuffle affect Ukraine’s war effort?
The reshuffle creates temporary uncertainty in defence leadership, but Ukraine continues to strike Russian oil refineries and maintain battlefield momentum. The new leadership may bring fresh strategic approaches.
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