IRIA News

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s decision to dismiss Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has sparked the largest public backlash against his government in months.

Thousands of people came out on the streets on July 16, 2026, protesting across the country as Kyiv presses ahead with a sweeping wartime cabinet reshuffle aimed at strengthening Ukraine’s defense, energy security and European Union integration.

The political upheaval comes as Ukraine continues to fight Russia’s full-scale invasion while preparing for another difficult winter marked by continued attacks on critical energy infrastructure. Although parliament approved most of Zelenskyy’s new cabinet, including the appointment of Sergii Koretskyi as prime minister, the removal of Fedorov has emerged as the most controversial element of the government overhaul.

The dismissal prompted demonstrations in Kyiv and several other Ukrainian cities, where protesters accused the government of undermining one of the country’s most successful wartime reformers.

Many demonstrators carried signs reading “Hands off Fedorov,” “Stop sabotaging victory,” and “Shame,” reflecting growing concern that his departure could weaken Ukraine’s military modernization efforts.

Government Reshuffle Amid Wartime

Zelenskyy announced plans for the cabinet overhaul earlier this week, describing it as a necessary “reset” to adapt Ukraine’s wartime strategy to changing military and economic realities.

The restructuring focuses on improving defense capabilities, strengthening energy resilience ahead of winter, and accelerating Ukraine’s bid to join the European Union.

Зі звуком) pic.twitter.com/nFDGKdm4hy

— Аеростатко (@vysoven) July 16, 2026

Parliament approved Sergii Koretskyi, the former head of state-owned energy company Naftogaz, as Ukraine’s new prime minister. His appointment reflects the government’s priority of protecting the country’s energy sector, which has repeatedly been targeted by Russian missile and drone strikes since the beginning of the war.

As part of the broader reshuffle, Vsevolod Chentsov, Ukraine’s representative to the European Union since 2021, was appointed deputy prime minister for European integration. The government is also expected to retain Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, while parliamentary approval for several remaining ministerial appointments is expected in the coming weeks.

Political Controversy

While the appointment of a new prime minister proceeded with relatively little opposition, Fedorov’s dismissal quickly became the focal point of public debate.

Zelenskyy appointed Maj. Gen. Yevhenii Khmara, the acting head of Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU), as acting defense minister, said he would later ask parliament to confirm him permanently.

Announcing the appointment, Zelenskyy said Khmara had acquired “extensive and, in many respects, unprecedented experience with technological combat operations.”

“This is precisely what our defense efforts in this war must focus on,” the president said. The decision followed months of reported disagreements between Fedorov and Ukraine’s military leadership, particularly Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi.

Speaking publicly after his dismissal, Fedorov confirmed that he had recommended replacing both Syrskyi and Chief of the General Staff Andrii Hnatov, arguing that Ukraine needed a different military approach.

According to Fedorov, his reform proposals repeatedly encountered resistance. “When the president said he did not plan to replace Syrskyi, I said I would learn to work with him,” Fedorov told reporters. “But all the initiatives we proposed were blocked.”

He accused the military leadership of failing to pursue innovative strategies to offset Russia’s numerical advantages. “Instead of finding a way of defeating Russia asymmetrically, which is the commander-in-chief’s job, he’s found a way of splitting our country,” Fedorov said.

Zelenskyy acknowledged that tensions between the Defense Ministry and the General Staff had become “systemic” and existed “at various levels,” requiring presidential mediation. Despite the disagreements, Fedorov stressed that he was not challenging Zelenskyy’s authority.

“I am confident that the president hears the Ukrainian people, knows what to do, and that the situation will be 100% resolved,” he said, adding that he had rejected an offer to remain as one of Zelenskyy’s advisers.

Responding to the demonstrations, Zelenskyy defended the public’s right to express its views. “I understand, I hear, and I even react to what society is saying,” he said, adding that peaceful protest remained an important democratic principle even during wartime.

Hundreds of protesters gathered in central Kyiv on July 16, 2026, demanding the reinstatement of dismissed Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. pic.twitter.com/kiZ7MKdCO0

— The Kyiv Independent (@KyivIndependent) July 16, 2026

Several senior military figures also criticized the decision. Pavlo Yelizarov, deputy commander of the Ukrainian Air Force and a prominent drone commander, resigned in protest, describing Fedorov’s dismissal as “a great evil for the country’s defense capability.”

Fedorov, 35, had served as defense minister since January but had quickly become one of the most prominent advocates of technological innovation within Ukraine’s armed forces.

Before taking over the Defense Ministry, he served as minister of digital transformation and played a central role in creating Ukraine’s volunteer “IT Army,” which coordinated cyber operations against Russian targets following Moscow’s invasion.

He later launched the highly successful “Army of Drones” initiative, expanding Ukraine’s drone production while introducing digital systems that rewarded military units based on battlefield performance.

After becoming defense minister, Fedorov continued emphasizing drone warfare, digital procurement reforms and data-driven military planning.

His ministry also sought to reduce corruption and streamline defense procurement while accelerating the introduction of advanced technologies across Ukraine’s armed forces.

Among his notable initiatives was working to prevent Russia from using Starlink satellite services to support drone operations, a move Ukrainian officials said disrupted Russian frontline capabilities.

His ministry also played a major role in planning drone strikes targeting Russian military infrastructure in occupied Crimea as Ukraine expanded long-range precision operations.

Following his dismissal, Fedorov pledged to continue supporting Ukraine’s war effort.

“I will continue to defeat the enemy through asymmetry, speed of innovation, and organisational strength,” he wrote in a statement summarizing his achievements.

Balancing Reform

The cabinet reshuffle highlights the difficult balance Zelenskyy faces between maintaining political stability and pursuing institutional reforms while Ukraine remains engaged in one of Europe’s largest armed conflicts since World War II.

With national elections suspended under martial law, cabinet changes remain one of the few mechanisms available for political renewal.

At the same time, the public response to Fedorov’s dismissal illustrates growing concern among many Ukrainians that changes affecting the military leadership could have direct consequences on the battlefield.

As Russia continues its offensive and Ukraine prepares for another winter of attacks on energy infrastructure, the success of Zelenskyy’s new government will likely be judged by its ability to preserve military momentum, strengthen national resilience and maintain public confidence during a prolonged war.