Ukraine’s parliament is set to approve a new wartime government on Thursday as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s latest cabinet reshuffle sparks widespread criticism over the dismissal of Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, a key architect of Ukraine’s military modernization.
The planned government overhaul comes at a pivotal stage in the war with Russia, with Ukraine making progress in long-range strikes against Russian military infrastructure while continuing to face intense fighting on the eastern front and shortages of troops and air defence systems.
Parliament to Approve New Cabinet
Lawmakers are expected to vote on a new cabinet led by Sergii Koretskyi, an executive from Ukraine’s energy sector.
Under the proposed changes:
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- Sergii Koretskyi would become prime minister.
- Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko would replace Mykhailo Fedorov as defence minister.
The reshuffle marks Zelenskyy’s second major government reorganization within a year and represents one of the most significant leadership changes since Russia’s full-scale invasion.
Why Fedorov’s Removal Has Triggered Outrage
The dismissal of Mykhailo Fedorov has generated an unusually strong public reaction.
The 35-year-old former technology minister has been widely credited with transforming Ukraine’s defence capabilities by:
- Expanding domestic drone production.
- Digitising military operations.
- Reducing bureaucratic obstacles.
- Introducing data-driven battlefield planning.
- Modernising defence procurement.
Many analysts view Fedorov as one of the key figures behind Ukraine’s successful long-range drone campaign targeting Russian oil facilities, logistics networks and military infrastructure.
Although Fedorov confirmed on social media that his tenure was ending, President Zelenskyy has yet to publicly explain the decision.
Growing Criticism of Zelenskyy’s Leadership
The cabinet reshuffle has intensified criticism of Zelenskyy’s wartime leadership.
Several commentators questioned the timing of replacing one of Ukraine’s most prominent reformers while the country remains engaged in a prolonged war.
Vitalii Sych, editor-in-chief of Ukrainian news outlet NV, argued that while Zelenskyy often demonstrates strong leadership during crises, some of those crises stem from controversial political decisions.
Supporters of Fedorov believe his efforts to reform defence procurement and modernize military management created tensions with elements of Ukraine’s political and military establishment.
Senior Military Figure Resigns
The controversy deepened after Pavlo Yelizarov, a deputy commander of Ukraine’s air force and a leading figure in the country’s drone warfare program, announced his resignation.
Yelizarov described Fedorov’s removal as “a great evil” for Ukraine’s defence, suggesting the decision could weaken ongoing military reforms.
His resignation adds to concerns that leadership changes could disrupt Ukraine’s defence strategy during a critical phase of the conflict.
Public Protests Erupt in Kyiv
More than 1,000 demonstrators gathered outside the presidential office in Kyiv to protest the dismissal.
Protesters chanted slogans including “Shame!” while carrying signs reading:
- “The Russians are celebrating.”
- Other messages criticizing the government’s decision.
The demonstrations recalled similar protests last year, when Zelenskyy reversed legislation that would have weakened the independence of Ukraine’s anti-corruption institutions following widespread public backlash.
Military Situation Remains Challenging
The political turmoil comes despite recent military successes.
Ukraine has expanded its long-range strikes against Russian oil facilities and military logistics, increasing pressure on Moscow’s war effort.
However, Ukrainian forces continue to face significant challenges, including:
- Persistent Russian advances in eastern Ukraine.
- Shortages of frontline personnel.
- Limited supplies of air defence systems.
- Increasing Russian ballistic missile attacks.
These pressures have heightened concerns about maintaining continuity in defence leadership.
Why It Matters
Leadership stability is especially important during wartime, particularly for a country heavily dependent on military coordination, defence reforms and continued Western support.
Fedorov’s departure removes one of the government’s most internationally recognised reformers and raises questions about whether Ukraine’s defence modernization efforts will continue at the same pace under new leadership.
The public protests also indicate growing domestic scrutiny of Zelenskyy’s decisions, even as the country remains under martial law and faces continued Russian aggression.
Future Outlook and Analysis
The parliamentary vote is expected to approve the new government, but the political fallout may continue well beyond the cabinet reshuffle. Zelenskyy will likely face increasing pressure to clearly explain the rationale behind Fedorov’s removal and reassure both the Ukrainian public and international partners that defence reforms will remain on track.
Much will depend on whether incoming Defence Minister Ihor Klymenko can maintain momentum in drone development, procurement reform and military modernization while working effectively with Ukraine’s armed forces. Any disruption to these initiatives could affect Ukraine’s operational effectiveness as it continues to rely heavily on technological innovation to offset Russia’s larger military resources.
The episode also highlights a broader challenge for Ukraine’s wartime leadership: balancing political authority with institutional reform. As the conflict enters another demanding phase, maintaining public confidence, military cohesion and continued Western support will be just as important as developments on the battlefield.
With information from Reuters.
