Ukraine: General resigns in protest over defense minister's dismissal

Tensions are escalating within Ukraine's military following the resignation of a key general in protest against the dismissal of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. General Pavlo Elizarov, deputy commander of the Air Force, announced his decision on Facebook, citing "family reasons" in official documents but revealing his true motive in his public statement.

Elizarov expressed concern that Fedorov's removal would hinder strategic reforms in air defense, potentially weakening Ukraine's ability to counter Russian aerial attacks. He described Fedorov's departure as "a great harm to the country's defense capability." This move comes shortly after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed Fedorov on July 15 as part of a broader government reshuffle aimed at strengthening executive functions and international relations.

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blocarea acestor reforme ar putea avea consecințe grave asupra capacității de apărare a țării în fața atacurilor aeriene rusești

The dismissal of Fedorov, who had been in his post for six months, has sparked protests in Kyiv, with citizens demanding Zelenskyy reverse his decision. During his tenure, Fedorov was recognized for reforming the ministry, improving military procurement systems, and combating corruption. His time in office also coincided with an increase in Ukrainian long-range drone strikes targeting Russian oil refineries.

In his farewell message, the 35-year-old minister highlighted key achievements, including restricting Russian access to Starlink services and expanding drone production and procurement for operations against Russian logistics and in occupied Crimea. Fedorov also claimed to have restructured the defense procurement system, resulting in billions of dollars in savings for the state budget. The search for Fedorov's successor is ongoing, with unconfirmed reports suggesting Interior Minister Igor Klimenko as a potential candidate.

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devenirea lui Mihail Fedorov reprezintă „un mare rău pentru capacitatea de apărare a țării”