Zelenskyy dismisses Ukraine defense minister, protests erupt

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has dismissed Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, a popular figure credited with modernizing the military, sparking public protests and revealing deep internal divisions over the country's war strategy. The removal, part of a broader government reshuffle announced the week of July 12, has led to rare street demonstrations and prompted a wave of celebratory reactions from Russian officials and military bloggers.

Fedorov, a 35-year-old former tech entrepreneur and Ukraine's youngest-ever defense minister, was appointed in January 2026. His six-month tenure was marked by a push to integrate advanced technology, most notably championing the country's expansive drone program. He negotiated an agreement with SpaceX that blocked Russian forces from using the Starlink satellite internet service on the battlefield, a move followed by significant Ukrainian territorial gains. Supporters credited his data-driven approach and efforts to cut bureaucratic hurdles with helping to slow Russian advances this year.

His departure, however, was driven by what President Zelenskyy described as "systemic" conflicts between the Defense Ministry and the military's...