Zelensky fires defense minister, protests erupt

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed his defense minister on July 16, 2026, triggering street protests across Ukraine and a crisis within the country's military leadership as it continues to fight Russia's full-scale invasion. The removal of Mykhailo Fedorov, a 35-year-old minister credited with modernizing Ukraine's armed forces and its drone warfare capabilities, drew hundreds of demonstrators to the streets of Kyiv and other major cities, with many chanting in support of Fedorov and calling for the ouster of Ukraine's top military commander.

Zelenskyy cited irreconcilable friction between Fedorov and the commander of Ukraine's armed forces, General Oleksandr Syrskyi, as the reason for the dismissal. At a news conference, the president stated that when the two sides could not resolve an issue, he had to resolve it. Fedorov, who served for six months, appeared at the same conference and accused Syrskyi of blocking necessary reforms, arguing that warfare had been completely transformed by new technologies like drones. He stated he did not know how the war could be won under the current arrangement with Syrskyi as commander.

The reshuffle, which also saw parliament approve...