Zelensky Ousts Fedorov, Architect of Ukraine’s Drone Program
Zelensky’s decision to remove Fedorov, a tech-savvy architect of Ukraine’s drone warfare program, has divided the country. The move came amid tensions with Gen. Oleksandr Syrsky, the army chief, who clashed with Fedorov over modernization efforts. Fedorov, 35, had been credited with advancing Ukraine’s battlefield capabilities through innovations like drone strikes and securing Elon Musk’s Starlink service for Ukrainian forces, according to CBS News.
United24 Pauses Publications Amid Protests Over Fedorov’s Dismissal
Protests erupted in Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities as hundreds of demonstrators gathered, demanding Fedorov’s reinstatement. Protesters argued his removal threatened Ukraine’s recent military successes, with one student holding a sign reading, Fedorov was not the problem, as reported by CBS News. The student explained, “The problem is this government — it is Zelenskyy. Fedorov did a great job.” Another protester, Maria Lavrynets, 31, told the BBC, “We see [Fedorov’s] results. We see the motivation of the soldiers, we should stand for them.”
Zelensky Appoints Khmara as Acting Defense Minister
Yelizarov wrote on Facebook, “I believe that the removal of M. Fedorov is a great evil for the country’s defense capability.” Pro-government media organization United24 announced a pause in its publications to take part in protests following the dismissal of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, according to CBS News.
Fedorov Accuses Syrsky of Obstructing Military Modernization
Zelensky acknowledged the friction between Fedorov and Syrsky during a press conference, stating, I wanted unity very much, but the sides did not find it. He appointed Yevhen Khmara, head of Ukraine’s security service, as acting defense minister. Khmara has been involved in long-range strike campaigns against Russian targets, NPR noted. Ukraine’s parliament had already approved Zelenskyy’s choice for prime minister, Serhii Koretskyi, former CEO of Naftogaz, the country’s largest oil and gas company.
Fedorov accused Gen. Syrsky of obstructing efforts to modernize Ukraine’s military, telling reporters, “Instead of figuring out how to defeat Russia asymmetrically, which is the army chief’s task, he has figured out how to divide the country.” He added, The war has completely changed. We can’t keep going on what worked back then. Fedorov’s tenure coincided with a dramatic shift in Ukraine’s favor on the battlefield, including the forced closure of gas sales in Crimea by Russian officials, according to CBS News.
Fedorov, who previously led Ukraine’s digital transformation ministry, also introduced reforms to improve transparency in arms procurement. His efforts coincided with Ukraine’s largest territorial gains in over two years. He pushed for the use of mid-range drone strikes to disrupt Russian logistics in Crimea and other occupied territories. In February, Fedorov negotiated an agreement with Elon Musk that saw Russia barred from using Starlink, CBS News reported.
For more on this story, see Zelenskyy Warns Moscow After Major Russian Attack.
Zelensky cited friction between Fedorov and Syrsky in his decision to replace the defense minister, saying at a news conference Thursday that he was “just showing that if the sides can’t resolve an issue, I will have to resolve it.” Syrsky, however, called for a focus on “an effective strategy” against Russia, CBS News reported. The tensions highlighted a broader struggle between traditional military leaders and technologically driven reforms.
Oleksandr Merezhko, a lawmaker with Zelenskyy’s party, told NPR that appointing Fedorov “was one of the best decisions Zelenskyy made.” However, the Kremlin downplayed the significance of his removal, with spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stating, “It doesn’t make any difference who the defense minister is,” NPR quoted. The dismissal came just hours after Ukraine signed deals with the European Union to boost drone production, according to NPR.
Last week, President Trump agreed during NATO’s summit in Turkey to grant Ukraine the license to produce missiles for the U.S.-made Patriot defense system to defend against Russia’s ballistic missiles. Fedorov’s removal has also raised questions about Ukraine’s ability to sustain its momentum against Russia. Ihor Fedirko, head of the Ukrainian Council of Defense Industry, praised Fedorov as “one of the faces of the modern and technological war,” NPR noted.
Protests are expected to continue, with demonstrators vowing to challenge the decision in the coming days. The student who held the Fedorov was not the problem sign emphasized, “He is the person who will change Ukraine.” Meanwhile, the Ukrainian Armed Forces commander-in-chief, Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi, reiterated his call for a “focus on war and on an effective strategy” against Russia, according to CBS News.
Fedorov, a tech entrepreneur with close ties to Silicon Valley, was seen as a widely liked figure in Washington, often credited with improving ties with the Trump administration. His dismissal has sparked debates over whether his removal signals a shift toward more traditional military leadership or a continuation of reform efforts. The exact consequences of his departure remain uncertain as Ukraine navigates the complexities of its war effort amid internal political tensions.
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