Volodymyr Zelenskyy faced mounting pressure on Wednesday to reinstate his sacked defence minister, Mykhailo Fedorov, as campaigners vowed to continue indefinite nationwide protests until he is restored to his post. The crisis follows a radical reshuffle of Ukraine's top military command, including the firing of commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrskyi and the appointment of Mykhailo Drapatyi as the new head of the armed forces.
Protests intensify after failed compromise
On Tuesday, Zelenskyy bowed to public demands by dismissing Syrskyi and appointing Drapatyi. However, his attempt to defuse anger by offering Fedorov the role of deputy prime minister for technological development failed. Fedorov reportedly turned down the position, insisting on reinstatement as defence minister, arguing it is the only way to implement his ambitious plan for modernising and reforming the army. The post is now filled by acting minister Yevhenii Khmara, a special forces commander.
Protesters, led by prominent veteran Dmytro Koziatynsky, have called for a rally on Friday evening outside Zelenskyy's presidential office in Ivana Franka Square, Kyiv. Koziatynsky wrote on social media: "We should not forget about the second demand of the protest – to return Mykhailo Fedorov to the position of minister of defence. We must do everything possible to ensure that the government hears and satisfies all the demands of society."
Zelenskyy's dilemma
One senior army source told the Guardian that Zelenskyy faces a major dilemma. "If he reverses his decision, this would be a big victory for Fedorov. It would be humiliating for the president and reveal him to be weak. But if he doesn’t, the protests will keep going," they said. The crisis was triggered by a generational conflict between Fedorov, a 35-year-old tech-savvy moderniser, and Syrskyi, a 60-year-old Soviet-trained traditionalist. Zelenskyy said he had tried to mediate before firing Fedorov as a last resort.
Drapatyi's appointment and challenges
Drapatyi's appointment has been widely approved. Ukraine's former president Petro Poroshenko said: "I know him as a strategically minded, brave, and decisive man. He cherishes people. The Ukrainian people place great hopes in him." One high-ranking military figure welcomed the appointment but noted significant challenges, including the likelihood of Russian mobilisation after September elections. Russian bloggers acknowledged Drapatyi as a formidable opponent, with one remarking: "He’s smart, strong, and hates Russia."
In a valedictory post, Syrskyi defended his record, noting Ukraine had retaken more than 700 sq km (270 sq miles) of territory this year and created a separate drone branch – the first of its kind globally. He said: "I am handing over to my successor an army that is not only holding the defence but is also on the offensive – with initiative, with structure, with people who know how to beat the enemy."
Military operations continue
Overnight, Ukrainian drones hit warehouses belonging to Russian online retailer Wildberries, sparking large fires in Krasnodar and Nevinnomyssk, part of a campaign to cripple Russia's war economy. Zelenskyy held a meeting with top generals, and Drapatyi wrote on Facebook that he was instructed to "intensify offensive operations in all domains," including planning operations behind enemy lines and developing new technologies. The Kremlin said Drapatyi's appointment would not alter the frontline situation, with spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stating: "I don’t think this will lead to any changes."
