Zelensky's dismissal of Ukraine's defence chief sparks political crisis

KYIV, July 16: Rare protests erupted in Ukraine on Thursday over the dismissal of defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov as a dispute between the reformer and Kyiv's top general spilled into the open during the president's second overhaul of his wartime cabinet in a year.

Volodymyr Zelensky's reshuffle has fuelled public anger over his exclusion of Fedorov, a 35-year-old tech expert who has aimed to reshape Kyiv's outmanned army into a more efficient fighting force to take on Russia.

Hundreds of people took to the streets in the capital Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities to demand he be reappointed, and a senior commander of Kyiv's air war resigned.

A new government under energy executive SergiiKoretskyi, who was approved on Thursday, could see the current interior minister, Ihor Klymenko, replace Fedorov, lawmakers said, a move that has rattled faith in Zelensky's leadership.
Speaking to reporters in Kyiv, Fedorov said he had declined an offer from Zelensky to serve as an adviser.

In a scathing attack on military chief OleksandrSyrskyi, Fedorov accused the general of blocking ministry initiatives and failing to address problems directly.

"Instead of working out how to defeat Russia ... he has figured out how to split the country," he said, dressed in his trademark casual T-shirt and jeans.

Syrskyi, 60, has been in his post since early 2024 but has faced criticism for a rigid command style which some service members have said results in high troop losses.

In a statement, Syrskyi called for focusing on Ukraine's war effort and recalled his role in helping defend Kyiv from Russian forces in the first weeks of their 2022 invasion.

"And now in this city, briefings can be held, visions can be developed, and decisions can be made," he said, appearing to mock Fedorov's press conference hours earlier.

Zelensky said on Thursday he was still considering who would replace Fedorov, adding that Klymenko was only one of the candidates under discussion and that he would look into the matter again.

"The president is not supposed to pick sides in this kind of situation during wartime," he said of Fedorov's dispute with Syrskyi, appearing flustered. "I would very much like unity. The sides did not find it."�" REUTERS