Protests erupt over Zelensky's dismissal of Ukraine tech defence chief
The surprise dismissal of Ukraine’s tech-driven defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov has sparked public protests and military resignations, raising concerns about the future of Kyiv’s high-tech warfare strategy.
President Volodymyr Zelensky has dismissed Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, triggering protests in several Ukrainian cities. Crowds gathered in central Kyiv holding signs reading "Hands off Fedorov" and chanting "Shame!". Zelensky has not publicly explained the decision, which has drawn sharp criticism from the military, commentators, and civil society.
For European governments and defence firms watching Ukraine as a testing ground for modern warfare, the sacking removes the chief architect of military modernisation. Fedorov, 35, had sought to overhaul a ministry widely viewed as bogged down in Soviet-era bureaucracy, pushing data-driven performance analysis and anti-corruption measures.
A former digital transformation minister, Fedorov was instrumental in shifting Ukraine towards asymmetric, high-tech warfare. He founded the volunteer "IT Army of Ukraine" for cyber-attacks, led the "Army of Drones" fundraising campaign, and introduced gamification systems that awarded military units for destroying Russian assets.
His approach had direct operational impacts that resonate with Europe's own defence planning. Early in his tenure, he pressed Elon Musk to prevent Russia from using Starlink satellites for drone attacks, severely disrupting Russian operations. His ministry also drove recent mid-range drone strikes aimed at cutting off the Moscow-occupied Crimean peninsula.
The military fallout has been immediate. Pavlo Yelizarov, a renowned drone unit commander, resigned as deputy commander of the Ukrainian Air Force, calling the dismissal "a great evil for the country's defence capability". Prominent adviser Serhii Sternenko called Fedorov "the best minister of defence in our entire history," blaming his removal on "bureaucratic obstacles and artificial delays".
Public anger underscores how closely Fedorov's innovation drive was tied to military morale. "This is the worst mistake Zelensky has made during his entire presidency," soldier Oleksandr said.
Protester Maria Lavrynets, 31, noted that civilians must stand behind the visible motivation of the soldiers. "We see his results," she said at a protest in Ivan Franko square.
Parliament is due to vote on replacing Fedorov with Ihor Klymenko, the current interior ministry head. Speculation suggests the dismissal stems from tensions with conventionally minded Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, or frustration over slow progress on military mobilisation. In a Facebook post, Fedorov vowed to "continue... to defeat the enemy through asymmetry, speed of innovation, and organisational strength".
