Zelenskyy sacks defense minister Fedorov in major government shake-up
Photo: Mykhailo Fedorov (Ministry of Digital Transformation press service)
Mykhailo Fedorov is to be replaced as defense minister after the resignation of Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko's government. Another candidate is being considered for the post.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy outlined several reasons behind his decision to remove Mykhailo Fedorov as defense minister.
According to the source, during a meeting with the party's parliamentary faction, Zelenskyy said that Fedorov and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi had different views on how the war should be fought.
The second reason the President named was issues in the army procurement.
"The president said that Fedorov and the ministry were making procurement decisions at their own discretion rather than in line with requests from the General Staff and the military. This concerned, among other things, the procurement of artillery shells," the source said.
What's next
After Fedorov's dismissal, current interior minister Ihor Klymenko has been tapped to lead Ukraine's Defense Ministry in the new government. His nomination was unveiled during a meeting between President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the parliamentary faction.
Zelenskyy also said he hoped the new defense minister, Klymenko, would be able to address the ongoing problems involving military recruitment centers and mobilization.
According to the President, Fedorov will remain part of the team, though no details were given about his future role or position.
Fedorov's reaction
Mykhailo Fedorov has published a farewell statement outlining the results of his time in office.
"It has been a great honor to serve the Ukrainian people as the Minister of Defense," he said.
He also reported on the goals his team managed to achieve. Among others, he mentioned disabling Starlink access for Russian forces, 'logistical lockdown' launch, Drone Line program funding, drone interception rate rose from 83% to 91%, and the cruise missile interception rate soared from 47% to 87%, contracts for Patriot PAC-2 GEM-T missiles for the first time, and others.
Fedorov thanked everyone for their work and support.
"Thank you all for your support! I will continue to work toward the mission I originally brought to the Ministry of Defense: defeating the enemy through asymmetry, the speed of innovation, and the power of organization. To be continued," he ended.
