Thousands Protest Zelensky's Ouster of 35-Year-Old Defense Minister Fedorov Across Ukraine
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jul 16
Thousands Protest Zelensky's Ouster of 35-Year-Old Defense Minister Fedorov Across Ukraine
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jul 16
Summary
Thousands rallied in Kyiv, Odesa, Lviv and Kharkiv on Thursday against President Volodymyr Zelensky’s dismissal of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov just six months into the job.
More than 300 people gathered even in frontline Kharkiv, chanting “Shame, shame, shame!” as protesters carried signs including “Hands off Fedorov!” and “Why break what’s working?”
The backlash reflects anger that Zelensky removed Fedorov as military analysts say the war has recently shifted more in Ukraine’s favor than at any point since Russia’s early setbacks.
Fedorov, 35, had become closely identified with Ukraine’s drone-centered strategy, including long-range strikes inside Russia and efforts to sever occupied Crimea.
As Ukraine gains ground, why was its highly successful, tech-savvy defense minister suddenly dismissed?
Could Kyiv's political shakeup jeopardize Ukraine's battlefield drone advantage and its path to victory?
Ukraine in Crisis: The 2026 Dismissal of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov and Its Impact on Military Reform, Morale, and Western Aid
Overview
The dismissal of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov by President Zelenskyy on July 16, 2026, sparked immediate public protests in Kyiv and led to the resignation of key military leaders, including Colonel Pavlo Yelizarov, who warned that Fedorov’s removal would harm Ukraine’s defense. Fedorov had driven rapid military modernization, streamlining processes and boosting technological innovation, but his reforms clashed with traditional elements in the defense establishment. This leadership change not only triggered public and military discontent but also raised concerns about the future of Ukraine’s war effort and its ongoing push for defense reforms.