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Ukraine fights under interim defense chief after Zelenskyy's contested government shake-up
🇺🇸 United States /Conflict & Security

Ukraine fights under interim defense chief after Zelenskyy's contested government shake-up

From PBS NewsHour · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Ukraine is operating with an interim defense minister following a significant government shake-up by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
  • The reshuffle, which included the dismissal of Mykhailo Fedorov, has caused public outcry and unsettled military leadership.
  • The appointment of Maj. Gen. Yevhen Khmara, a special operations expert, is pending parliamentary approval, but faces potential delays due to legal requirements and recess.

Ukraine is navigating its defense against Russia's ongoing invasion with an acting defense minister after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy enacted a sweeping government reshuffle. The shake-up, announced Thursday, has exposed divisions within the military and triggered public protests, testing Zelenskyy's authority.

We transformed Ukraine into a global tech leader and a defense powerhouse.

— Mykhailo FedorovOn social media defending his record after his dismissal.

Zelenskyy appointed Maj. Gen. Yevhen Khmara, described as a highly regarded special operations expert and acting head of the state's security service, to temporarily lead the Defense Ministry. The president indicated he would seek parliamentary approval for Khmara's formal appointment. However, Ukrainian law stipulates the defense minister must be a civilian, meaning Khmara would need to leave active duty. Furthermore, lawmakers are on summer recess until mid-August, potentially delaying confirmation.

Don't ruin something that works.

— Protest signAt a demonstration in Kyiv against Fedorov's dismissal.

The dismissal of Mykhailo Fedorov, the 35-year-old digital-savvy former defense minister, has been particularly contentious. Zelenskyy cited a breakdown in relations between Fedorov and Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi, the 60-year-old commander of Ukraine's armed forces, as the reason for Fedorov's removal. Fedorov, credited with advancing Ukraine's drone technology and combating corruption, defended his tenure, stating, "We transformed Ukraine into a global tech leader and a defense powerhouse."

I don't think they should replace an effective leader and manager like Fedorov.

— Olha HoroshkovaA protester speaking to The Associated Press.

Fedorov's departure sparked significant public backlash, with thousands protesting his dismissal across Ukraine. Demonstrators in Kyiv held signs reading, "Don't ruin something that works," and expressed support for the effective leader. One protester, Olha Horoshkova, told The Associated Press that her father, serving in the armed forces since 2022, had observed "noticeable changes" and reduced bureaucracy under Fedorov's leadership.

There's a little less bureaucracy now, and things have genuinely...

— Olha HoroshkovaDescribing changes observed by her father serving in the armed forces under Fedorov.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by PBS NewsHour in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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