Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has dismissed Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, despite appeals from foreign partners and civil society to keep him in the position, as part of a sweeping government reshuffle, The Guardian reports.
Fedorov announced on Telegram that he was leaving his post, saying it had been a “great honor” to serve the Ukrainian people. He was widely credited with transforming the defense ministry and reducing corruption.
His six months in office coincided with a significant improvement in Ukraine's position on the battlefield. Kiev repeatedly attacked Russian oil refineries with long-range drones, embarrassing Vladimir Putin and causing fuel shortages across Russia.
In his farewell message, Fedorov (35) listed his achievements, including preventing the use of Starlink by Russian troops and acquiring a large number of drones, which were used to destroy "enemy logistics" and isolate occupied Crimea.
He said he had "radically improved" the procurement system, saving the state budget "billions of dollars."
On the day he left office, the minister revealed that the Ukrainian military had successfully tested a ballistic missile.
"We have fundamentally changed the technical requirements and achieved maximum precision. We have reduced costs by 30 percent. Ukraine will enter a new league," he said.
The dismissal could overshadow a visit to Kiev by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The British prime minister, who is due to leave office this week, arrived on Thursday to mark his country's support for Ukraine during his term.
It is not clear whether Fedorov will be given another ministerial position. Ukraine's parliament accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Yulia Sviridenko on Wednesday, after Zelensky said the government needed a "fresh start."
Her position could, according to expectations, be taken over by Sergej Koretski, director of the energy company Naftogas.
Fedorov's dismissal sparked outrage among his supporters and came amid rumors of a conflict with the commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian army, Lieutenant General Oleksandr Syrsky.
Friends of Ukraine, including former US ambassador to Moscow Michael McFaul, this week urged Zelensky to keep Fedorov in office.
Serhiy Sternenko, an assistant to the dismissed minister, wrote indignantly:
"It's a shame that our country is significantly further from victory today. Real reforms haven't even had a chance to begin, although we have still managed to bring about many changes."
He complained about "deliberate delays" and "bureaucratic obstacles."
Opposition politician Irina Gerashchenko condemned the decision. Speaking in the Ukrainian parliament before the news was officially confirmed, she asked:
"How is it possible that Zelensky's only reasonable appointment, Minister Fedorov, is in limbo today?"
Commentators online were highly critical. Within minutes of the announcement, thousands of people sent messages of support to Fedorov.
One user briefly wrote:
"I don't understand this decision."
Another added:
"A minister who gave hope to millions of people and showed what can be achieved when you care about your country's victory."
The deputy director of the Politika institute, Artem Bronzhukov, described the frequent changes of defense ministers in Ukraine as "abnormal" for a country fighting a major war against an enemy like Russia.
He said that Fedorov had visibly improved the situation at the front and beyond in just “three or four months.”
"The results are visible in medium-range strikes, where Ukraine has turned the Crimean peninsula into a practical island. In such circumstances, there is trust in Mikhail Fedorov. He is supported by our Western partners, he is supported by the progressive part of society," Bronzhukov told Radio NV.
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