Mykhailo Fedorov Fired: Massive Protests Erupt in Ukraine

Protests erupted in Kyiv following the dismissal of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov by President Volodymyr Zelenskyj, according to reports from AFP and NTB. Demonstrators gathered in the capital demanding Fedorov’s reinstatement, pointing to his popularity and success in developing and deploying combat drones against Russian forces during his tenure of under seven months.

Why Citizens Are Protesting the Defense Minister Firing

Public outrage over the dismissal stems from an exhausted society facing heavy mobilization demands, according to NUPI researcher Matthew Blackburn. Speaking to Nettavisen, Blackburn noted that removing an effective reformer who is widely credited with improving Ukraine’s military capabilities through drone strikes deep inside Russia feels unjustified to many citizens.

Furthermore, President Zelenskyj has failed to fully explain the decision to the public. While the president mentioned the need to choose sides and referred to conversations with Fedorov, he has not provided a complete public rationale, leaving civil society frustrated.

Fedorov’s Alliances with Pro-Western Groups and Tech Leaders

Over time, Fedorov built strong ties with liberal, non-governmental pro-Western organizations that organized the recent demonstrations, according to Blackburn. These same groups successfully led protests in July 2025 against the removal of independent anti-corruption agencies NABU and SAPO.

Fedorov also established connections with prominent Western actors, including Palantir, Elon Musk, and Eric Schmidt, according to Blackburn. In regions like Lviv and western Ukraine, where daily confrontations with mobilization officers create severe social friction, citizens have increasingly favored Fedorov’s strategy. Residents often contrasted his approach with former commander Oleksandr Syrskyj—whom critics nicknamed “The Butcher”—associated by some segments with high-casualty attrition tactics.

Zelenskyj’s Declining Popularity and Centralized Power

A recent opinion poll conducted by the research institute Socis places President Zelenskyj in sixth place among Ukrainian leaders, with only 18 percent of respondents expressing full trust in him. In contrast, Fedorov enjoys high popularity, trailing only Valerij Zaluzjnyj, the former commander-in-chief and current ambassador to the United Kingdom.

Blackburn explained that Zelenskyj presides over a heavily centralized and hierarchical governance structure. The administration maintains control by placing loyal colleagues in key roles, including the leadership of the Rada parliament, the armed forces, the SBU security service, and the defense ministry.

Political Rivalry and the Future of Ukraine’s Leadership

Zelenskyj’s primary directive to Fedorov as defense minister was to increase the number of soldiers voluntarily enlisting in the army. However, Blackburn stated that instead of prioritizing recruitment quotas, Fedorov developed his own agenda.

Fedorov’s push for resources toward long-range strikes inside Russia diverted supplies from front-line positions, causing friction within parts of the armed forces. Consequently, Blackburn believes Zelenskyj suspected Fedorov of using his ministerial position to position himself as a future presidential rival rather than following the administration’s direct orders.

Under martial law, which includes media censorship, suspended elections, and the prohibition of opposition parties, measuring exact political sentiment remains challenging. Blackburn emphasized that while protests demonstrate solid backing from reform-minded urban groups, Fedorov’s broader political appeal has not yet been tested in a competitive peacetime election.

Frequently Asked Questions