Following days of public backlash and the dismissal of Ukraine’s army chief, ousted Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has rejected President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s offer of a new role as deputy prime minister for military innovation, leaving his political future uncertain as high-stakes wartime leadership changes unfold.
The leadership shakeup in Kyiv has brought internal military tensions into public view. Protesters have demanded the reinstatement of Mykhailo Fedorov by Friday, alongside the removal of Oleksandr Syrskyi, who was dismissed as the top army commander following the backlash over Fedorov’s departure, as BBC coverage details. Oleksandr Syrskyi is dismissed after backlash over the removal of popular Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. Mykhailo Drapatyi becomes Ukraine’s third commander-in-chief since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.
Fedorov Outlines the Strategy Behind His Ousted Tenure
In a statement sent to journalists on Thursday, Fedorov defended the record of his team, noting they operated under a clear mandate when he was appointed defence minister in January. According to BBC reporting, his core priorities centered on sky protection, stabilizing the front lines, and executing economic strikes against Russia. Fedorov said his team had a specific plan how to end the war
when he was appointed defence minister in January, and the key elements were the protection of the skies, stabilisation of the front, and also strikes against Russia’s economy.
“For six months, we have consistently implemented this very plan. For the first time in recent years, Ukraine has begun to seize the initiative [on the battlefield]. Our collective results have created something unprecedented – a window of opportunity to force Russia into peace through strength. And we cannot afford to lose it.”
Mykhailo Fedorov, ousted Defence Minister
Fedorov stressed that he had never been seeking any “post or status, but only wanted to have the
opportunity to really influence the result and bring Ukraine’s victory closer”. He argued that these collective efforts produced an unprecedented window of opportunity to compel Russia toward peace through strength.
The Rejected Offer and Succession in the Ministry
President Zelenskyy, who earlier this week had a meeting with Fedorov, revealed that he had offered him the post of deputy prime minister for military innovation. Zelenskyy noted on Thursday that this is a very important role because innovation must be co-ordinated with the leadership of the defence ministry, the commander-in-chief, and the president.
Fedorov refused the offer. It’s not clear if his statement means that negotiations over his future are at an end. Meanwhile, Fedorov has already been replaced by Yevhenii Khmara, a former top official at Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU). Presidential adviser Dmytro Lytvyn stated that discussions were continuing and it would be inappropriate to disclose details at this stage
.
Broader Wartime Pressures and International Support
The political friction coincides with intense operational challenges across multiple fronts. Ukrainian drones have hit several retail warehouses belonging to Russia’s biggest online retailer Wildberries in a matter of days. Logistics hubs belonging to Wildberries in the Krasnodar and Stavropol regions were struck overnight, placing strain on Russian business supply chains. At the same time, Russian strikes on the Odesa region have killed 28 people in July alone, local authorities say, as attacks on merchant ships in the Black Sea intensify.
Amid these strains, diplomatic channels remain active. Ireland has announced a €125m Ukraine support package, and Micheál Martin is in Kyiv for a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
