Ukraine protests against Zelensky's dismissal of Defence Minister Fedorov

Sun Sep 06 2026 06:33:06 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Thousands of Ukrainians rally after President Zelensky abruptly replaced Mykhailo Fedorov, sparking anger from soldiers and citizens.

A wave of protests erupted across Ukrainian cities after President Volodymyr Zelensky unexpectedly dismissed defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov. The move stunned veterans, civil society, and even lawmakers, who were scheduled to vote on his successor later that day. Fedorov, praised for cutting bureaucratic red tape, boosting drone warfare and spearheading cyber initiatives, was credited with energising the ministry and reviving morale. Protest signs read "Hands off Fedorov" and "Stop sabotaging victory!", and even a soldier described the dismissal as "the worst mistake of Zelensky’s presidency." The backlash underscores tensions between reformist military figures and more traditional leaders like Commander‑in‑Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi.

Ukraine protests against Zelensky's dismissal of Defence Minister Fedorov

The protests were led mainly by young people. In Kyiv, demonstrators held signs reading Hands off Fedorov and Stop sabotaging victory!, while chanting “Shame!” The gathering also took place in Prague, Lviv and Odesa, reflecting national outrage.

Fedorov, who was appointed in January, had been credited with revitalising the Ministry of Defence. A former digital‑transformation minister, he set up the volunteer “IT Army of Ukraine” and launched cyber‑attacks on Russian forces, then pushed an aggressive drone‑recruitment campaign that introduced a gamification system rewarding units for successful strikes.

His dismissal has been attributed to clashes with Commander‑in‑Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, who favours a conventional approach, and to concerns that Fedorov had not refocused mobilisation efforts swiftly enough.

Veteran soldier Oleksandr said the decision was “the worst mistake Zelensky has made during his entire presidency.” Meanwhile, Maria Lavrynets, age 31, urged the public to support Fedorov’s reforms that she believes strengthen the army’s morale.

The Fedorov plan also involved calling on Elon Musk to prevent Russian forces from using Starlink satellites against Ukrainian drones, a move that significantly disrupted enemy operations.

Following his removal, Fedorov posted on Facebook summarising his achievements and declaring that he would continue to “defeat the enemy through asymmetry, speed of innovation and organisational strength.” Known for his speed of delivery and high‑tech focus, he had been hailed by many as “the best minister of defence in our entire history”.

The protests also highlighted the deep divide between reformist and traditionalist elements within Ukraine’s security sector, with former deputy commander Pavlo Yelizarov resigning in protest over Fedorov’s sacking.