Outgoing Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has accused military commander Oleksandr Shirschiy of “dividing the country” amidst growing discontent over his dismissal, part of President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s cabinet reshuffle. Protests erupted in Kyiv and other cities like Lviv and Odessa, with demonstrators expressing their outrage at the leadership change. Fedorov, who served for six months and is credited with advancements in Ukraine’s drone warfare strategies, highlighted achievements such as disrupting Russian military access to Starlink.
In a critical statement, he questioned whether Ukraine could defeat Russia under Shirschiy’s command, citing a bureaucratic culture that he believes hampers military effectiveness. Critics of Fedorov argue he has not reformed military recruitment swiftly enough, while supporters claim his anti-corruption efforts made him enemies in military circles.
Following the reshuffle, Zelenskiy appointed Evgeny Kumara as acting defense minister, emphasizing his experience in combat operations. The parliament also confirmed Naftogaz leader Sergiy Koretsky as the new prime minister, a move aimed at enhancing support for the armed forces and sustaining Ukraine’s EU aspirations. Additionally, new appointments included Taras Vysotsky as Minister of Agriculture and Vsevolod Chentsov for European Integration, while keeping Serhiy Marchenko as Minister of Finance.
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