President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov on Wednesday as part of a broader government reshuffle. Fedorov, who served in the role for six months, was removed shortly after Ukraine finalized agreements with the European Union to expand drone production. The reshuffle also included the appointment of Serhii Koretskyi, former CEO of the state-owned oil and gas company Naftogaz, as the country's new prime minister.
Oleksandr Merezhko, a lawmaker from Zelenskyy’s party, stated that the dismissal followed disagreements between the 35-year-old minister and senior military leadership regarding conscription reforms. During his brief tenure, Fedorov was noted for integrating drone technology into battlefield strategy and implementing transparency measures in arms procurement. His removal sparked protests in several Ukrainian cities on Thursday morning.
In a press conference following his resignation, Fedorov expressed pride in his team’s work and noted that he had declined private sector job offers to remain focused on the war effort. President Zelenskyy is expected to nominate current Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko, a former police general, to lead the Defense Ministry. Klymenko’s appointment will require confirmation by the Ukrainian parliament.