Many Ukrainian soldiers outraged over removal of defence minister, troops tell BBC

A palpable sense of outrage is sweeping through Ukraine's military ranks following President Zelenskyy's decision not to re-appoint Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov in a recent cabinet reshuffle. Soldiers recovering from injuries and those on the front lines are expressing deep disappointment and anger, viewing the move as a significant setback.

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I hope when I wake up after the anesthetic, Fedorov will be back at the Ministry of Defence. Otherwise, everything I was fighting for will have been in vain.

One disfigured soldier, awaiting surgery, stated, "I hope when I wake up after the anesthetic, Fedorov will be back at the Ministry of Defence. Otherwise, everything I was fighting for will have been in vain." This sentiment is echoed by others who see Fedorov's removal as a "blatant slap in the face to all service members." Some fear that political maneuvering could render their sacrifices meaningless, with one soldier warning of a "dictatorship" unfolding.

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It is a blatant slap in the face to all service members.

Despite the public protests and expressions of discontent, the impact of this political development on the front lines is mixed. While some soldiers are deeply affected and vocal about their frustration, others are solely focused on the immediate brutality of combat. "Yesterday our positions here got hit by MLRS... so nobody cared about Fedorov or the cardboard signs," one soldier noted, highlighting the stark contrast between political discourse and the realities of war.

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A dictatorship is already unfolding here, with its own petty tyrants who think they have caught God by the beard.

However, there is clear admiration for Fedorov's achievements, particularly in driving military innovation. He is credited with elevating the role of drones and modern technologies, significantly contributing to Ukraine's ability to counter its larger adversary. His "Army of Drones: Bonus" scheme, which rewarded frontline units for destroying Russian equipment, was popular and seen as a catalyst for innovation and faster procurement. Fedorov was perceived as deeply committed to creatively advancing Ukraine's war effort with limited resources.

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Yesterday our positions here got hit by MLRS (multiple launch rocket systems), so nobody cared about Fedorov or the cardboard signs.