Zelenskyy Ousts 35-Year-Old Defense Chief Fedorov as Hundreds Protest Cabinet Shakeup
Updated
Updated · The Washington Post · Jul 16
Zelenskyy Ousts 35-Year-Old Defense Chief Fedorov as Hundreds Protest Cabinet Shakeup
3 articles · Updated · The Washington Post · Jul 16
Summary
Hundreds of protesters gathered in Kyiv and other cities after Volodymyr Zelenskyy removed Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, turning the reshuffle into a test of his wartime political authority.
Zelenskyy said he acted because Fedorov and army chief Oleksandr Syrskyi could not resolve their conflict, while Fedorov said generals blocked drone-era reforms needed to win the war.
Pavlo Yelizarov, the deputy Air Force commander, resigned in protest, a lawmaker from Zelenskyy's party said Fedorov's replacement would not be accepted, and pro-government outlet United24 paused publishing to join demonstrations.
Fedorov, 35, had built strong ties in Washington and Silicon Valley, helped secure a February Starlink deal that barred Russian use, and was widely credited with enabling drone strikes that pressured Crimea.
The ouster came as parliament approved former Naftogaz CEO Serhii Koretskyi as prime minister; Zelenskyy said the broader shakeup is meant to prepare for winter, though officials also cited political calculations.
After cleaning up defense corruption, why was Ukraine's popular minister fired mid-war?
How will Kyiv's shakeup impact Trump’s Patriot missile deal and his call for peace talks?
Is Zelenskyy's government reset about winning the war or consolidating political power?
July 2026 Ukrainian Government Reshuffle: Fedorov’s Ouster, Cabinet Overhaul, and the Battle for Defense Reform
Overview
On July 15, 2026, Ukraine underwent a major government reshuffle, highlighted by the non-reappointment of Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov and the resignation of Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko, which led to the departure of the entire Cabinet. This comprehensive reset in leadership paves the way for a new government, with Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko widely expected to become the next Defence Minister. The changes sparked public concern and calls for demonstrations in Kyiv, as many citizens voiced frustration over frequent reshuffles and the replacement of effective ministers with more convenient figures, reflecting growing unease about political stability and reform.