Zelenskyy appoints intelligence veteran as acting defence minister amid protests over Fedorov's ouster

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday appointed career intelligence official Yevgeniy Khmara as acting defence minister, a day after removing reform-minded Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, whose abrupt exit sparked protests in Kyiv and intensified debate over Ukraine's wartime leadership.

Announcing the appointment on Facebook, Zelenskyy said Khmara had acquired "extensive and, in many respects, unprecedented experience with technological combat operations," signalling that military innovation would remain central to Ukraine's defence strategy despite the leadership change.

The appointment comes as hundreds of Ukrainians, many of them young, took to the streets in Kyiv and other cities to protest Fedorov's removal, arguing that the minister had transformed Ukraine's battlefield capabilities through rapid expansion of drone warfare and defence technology.

Protests expose tensions within military leadership

The defence reshuffle has become one of the most politically sensitive decisions of Zelenskyy's presidency since Russia launched its full-scale invasion more than four years ago. While wartime elections remain suspended under martial law, periodic cabinet changes have allowed Zelenskyy to reshape his government.

More from World

Speaking at a press conference, Zelenskyy acknowledged friction between outgoing Defence Minister Fedorov and Ukraine's armed forces chief, General Oleksandr Syrskyi.

"I'm just showing that if the sides can't resolve an issue, I will have to resolve it," Zelensky said, adding that the strained relationship reflected broader institutional problems between the Defence Ministry and the military rather than merely a clash of personalities.

Fedorov, 35, publicly accused Syrskyi of blocking reforms needed to adapt Ukraine's military to a battlefield increasingly dominated by drones and advanced technologies.

"Under this arrangement, I personally do not know how the war can be won," Fedorov said, claiming several of his initiatives had been stalled.

Moderniser credited with drone revolution

Before becoming defence minister in January, Fedorov served as Ukraine's minister for digital transformation, where he gained recognition for accelerating the country's drone programme and digital governance initiatives.

During his six months at the Defence Ministry, he said funds were redirected towards long-range strike capabilities, fibre-optic drones, reconnaissance systems and missile programmes. He also pushed procurement reforms aimed at increasing transparency and reducing corruption while attempting to align defence administration with Nato standards.

Fedorov argued that Ukraine's military had gained significant operational advantages, including restricting Russian forces' access to the Starlink satellite communications system and expanding indigenous weapons production.

However, he admitted he had failed to fully overhaul the ministry's procurement system and establish stronger accountability mechanisms.

General Syrskyi, without responding to the criticism directly, thanked Fedorov for his service in a Facebook post and expressed hope that he would continue contributing to Ukraine's war effort.

Leadership shake-up comes amid Russian attacks

The government overhaul extends beyond the Defence Ministry. Parliament approved Serhii Koretskyi, the head of state energy company Naftogaz, as Ukraine's new prime minister after Zelensky argued his experience would help the country prepare for another winter of expected Russian attacks on critical energy infrastructure.

The reshuffle comes at a difficult moment in the war. Overnight Russian missile strikes on Kyiv killed two people and wounded five others, including a child, according to Ukrainian emergency authorities.

Meanwhile, the removal of Fedorov has unsettled sections of Ukraine's military establishment. Deputy Air Force Commander Col. Pavlo Yelizarov resigned in protest, warning that the decision could weaken Ukraine's air defences. Protesters echoed similar concerns, chanting slogans against Syrskyi and praising Fedorov's record in modernising the armed forces.

The controversy presents one of Zelensky's most significant domestic political tests since he reversed plans last year to curb the independence of Ukraine's anti-corruption watchdogs following widespread public protests.

Whether the latest government reshuffle strengthens military coordination or deepens divisions within Ukraine's wartime leadership is likely to become clearer in the weeks ahead as lawmakers consider a permanent appointment to lead the Defence Ministry.

With inputs from agencies