Dismissed Ukrainian Defense Minister Demands Reinstatement

Mykhailo Fedorov, the dismissed Ukrainian Defense Minister, announced on Thursday his rejection of offers from President Volodymyr Zelensky to assume a new position, stating he will only accept reinstatement as defense minister, according to Agence France-Presse.

Fedorov declared, "I will not accept any position other than defense minister." He emphasized that no other role holds the necessary authority to combat corruption in military procurement, complete army reforms, plan and execute unconventional operations against the enemy, and eliminate the culture of dishonesty and impunity within the system.

Following Fedorov's sudden dismissal by Zelensky after only six months in office, protest organizers have called for renewed demonstrations demanding his return to the ministry.

Appointed in January, Fedorov, aged 35, was tasked with modernizing and digitizing the armed forces. However, he encountered disputes with military leadership who opposed his reform plans.

In response to the protests, Zelensky removed the army's commander-in-chief, Oleksandr Syrskyi, earlier this week and appointed Mykhailo Drabaty, a close ally of Fedorov and supporter of reforms, as his replacement.

Despite this, Zelensky appointed an acting defense minister and declined to reinstate Fedorov, who remains one of his key allies since assuming the presidency in 2019.

Fedorov earned respect within and beyond the military establishment for his early adoption of drone technology, which has become a critical element in the ongoing conflict lasting over four and a half years.

He frequently criticized what he described as a Soviet mentality within the army and sought to reform the military institution, which has faced criticism for corruption, equipment shortages, absenteeism, mistreatment of conscripts, and conscription campaigns.