Why Ukrainians protest Zelenskyy's defence minister ouster
Ukrainians have taken to the streets in Kyiv to protest President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's decision not to reappoint popular defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov. Crowds blame a clash with commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrskyi and fear the move will reverse Fedorov's tech-driven war reforms.
Key Takeaways
- Crowds in Kyiv staged a protest after Zelenskyy dropped Fedorov in a cabinet reshuffle.
- Zelenskyy cited a "challenging dialogue" between Fedorov and Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi.
- Soldiers credit Fedorov with drone bonuses, AI interceptors, and digital defence reforms.
- Some protesters now call for Syrskyi's dismissal as the leadership rift widens.
- Interim defence minister Yevhenii Khmara, acting SBU head, has already been appointed.
What sparked the protest over Fedorov's removal?
According to BBC reporting from Kyiv, Zelenskyy chose not to reappoint Fedorov during his latest cabinet reshuffle. The move triggered noisy demonstrations and sharp criticism from battle-weary soldiers and wounded veterans.
Fedorov, 35, had served only since January after leading digital transformation. The Guardian's Luke Harding reported that Zelenskyy defended the decision by pointing to friction with Syrskyi, saying the two men had a "challenging dialogue."
Fedorov blamed the general for blocking reforms. Zelenskyy said the pair could not even share a room. One former front-line officer told the BBC the feud had been "snowballing," leaving the president little choice.
Why do soldiers link the protest to drones and AI?
Service members widely admired Fedorov's push to modernise a Soviet-era command culture. He championed the "Army of Drones: Bonus" scheme, where units earned points for destroying Russian forces and kit, speeding procurement and innovation.
Coverage also credits him with rapid advances in AI and cheap interceptors against Russian drones, plus persuading Elon Musk to block Russian access to Starlink. Analysts say that digital edge helped Ukraine halt and even repel advances in recent months.
Military analyst Ivan Stupak likened Fedorov to an "iPhone 16" and Syrskyi to a 1980s phone: same mission, different methods. Critics fear progress could stall despite Zelenskyy's assurances that nothing will change. For more on wartime tech shifts, see Future Tech & AI Wonders.
Could the protest force another leadership change?
Protesters in Kyiv have called for Syrskyi's dismissal after Zelenskyy backed the commander-in-chief over Fedorov. Syrskyi remains polarising: once hailed for defending Kyiv in 2022, some soldiers now brand him "The Butcher" or "General 200," while others say no peer matches his wartime record.
Anti-Corruption Action Centre director Daria Kaleniuk warned the crisis hits the war effort harder than last year's anti-corruption street protests, which forced Zelenskyy to reverse course. Today's crowds are smaller so far, but activists hope for a similar climbdown.
With autumn threats to Ukraine's energy grid looming, Kaleniuk and others argue ditching a popular reformer sends a damaging signal about how Kyiv values results—and public trust—at a pivotal moment.