Ukrainians rally against dismissal of tech-minded defense minister Fedorov

Ukrainians took to the streets across the country on Thursday to protest President Volodymyr Zelensky's abrupt dismissal of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, who championed the push to integrate drone technology and digital innovation into the military.

Demonstrators gathered in Kyiv, Lviv, Odesa and other cities carrying signs with messages like "Bring Fedorov Back" and "We Want to Fight With Drones, Not People."

The protests reflect growing frustration among many younger Ukrainians and soldiers who viewed Fedorov as the face of Ukraine's push to modernize its military through drones and digital innovation while tackling corruption in the Defense Ministry.

A former digital transformation minister best known for creating Ukraine's Diia e-government platform, Fedorov earlier this year became the sixth defense minister appointed by Zelensky and sought to overhaul one of the country's most powerful but traditionally bureaucratic institutions.

In a social media post on Wednesday, Fedorov said his team had achieved several key objectives, including disrupting Starlink satellite internet terminals used by Russian drone operators, supporting strikes on Russian logistics in occupied Crimea, and reforming military procurement in ways that he said saved the state billions of hryvnias.

"We purchased more drones in four months than during the entire previous year," Fedorov wrote in a farewell statement.

Fedorov acknowledged that some of his biggest ambitions remained unrealized. Among them, he said, were transforming the Defense Ministry "in accordance with NATO and common sense," fundamentally overhauling military procurement, and creating what he described as "a culture of accountability."

The reasons for his dismissal have not been officially explained. Several Ukrainian media outlets, citing anonymous government sources, reported that tensions between Fedorov and Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi contributed to the decision.

Speaking at a news conference, Fedorov confirmed that he had advocated replacing Syrskyi, whose leadership style has drawn criticism from some younger officers and soldiers, but said Zelensky rejected the proposal.

Fedorov said he had initially been prepared to continue working with the commander after Zelensky's decision to keep him in office. Over time, however, the cooperation "reached a dead end," he said, adding that proposals from his team increasingly faced resistance.

Syrskyi later thanked Fedorov for his work in a social media post, saying Ukraine should remain focused on "the war and an effective strategy."

Zelensky's latest government reshuffle has drawn criticism from civil society and some public officials, who questioned the decision to replace senior government personnel while Ukraine remains at war with Russia.

Parliament on Thursday approved the appointment of Sergiy Koretsky, the head of state energy company Naftogaz, as prime minister. Most cabinet nominees were also confirmed, while candidates for defense and foreign minister are expected to be submitted to parliament for approval later.

Zelensky has said Fedorov will remain part of his team, although he has not announced what role the former minister will take.