Zelenski sacks Ukraine's popular defense minister after six months in office

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has dismissed the popular defense minister of Ukraine, Mykhailo Fedorov, after six months in office, despite appeals from foreign partners and civil society to retain him. The move is part of a broader government reshuffle. In a post on Telegram, Fedorov announced his departure, calling it a "great honor" to serve the Ukrainian people. He is widely credited with transforming the Ministry of Defense and reducing corruption within its ranks. Fedorov's tenure coincided with an improvement in Ukraine’s battlefield position. Kyiv has repeatedly attacked Russian oil refineries using long-range drones, which have embarrassed President Vladimir Putin and caused fuel shortages across Russia. In his farewell message, Fedorov listed several achievements, including disabling Starlink for Russian troops and acquiring more drones used to destroy enemy logistics and isolate occupied Crimea. He claims he has "radically improved" procurement systems, saving "billions of dollars" from the state budget. On the day of his exit, the minister revealed that the Ukrainian army had successfully tested a ballistic missile. "We thoroughly reviewed the technical requirements and achieved maximum accuracy. We reduced the cost by 30%. Ukraine will enter a new league," he stated. His departure appears likely to overshadow the visit of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to Kyiv. The UK leader, who will step down this week, arrived Thursday to show support for Ukraine during his term in office. It remains unclear whether Fedorov will take another role in the government. On Wednesday, the Ukrainian Parliament accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Yulia Sviridenko after Zelenskyy claimed his government needed a course correction. The president proposed Sergiy Korneyev, head of energy company Naftogaz, as her replacement. Critics have expressed outrage over Fedorov’s dismissal, amid rumors of a dispute with Ukraine’s chief commander, General Oleksandr Syrsky. Friends of Ukraine, including former US ambassador to Moscow Michael McFaul, urged Zelenskyy this week to keep Fedorov in his post. Serhiy Sternyuk, an advisor to the ousted minister, wrote bitterly, "It is a pity that our country today is much further from victory. Not even real reforms have been allowed to begin, although we have already introduced many changes." He complained of "intentional delays" and "bureaucratic obstacles." Opposition politician Irina Gerashchenko condemned the decision. In a parliamentary speech before the announcement was confirmed, she asked, "How is it possible that the only sensible appointment by Zelenskyy, that of Minister Fedorov, is now in limbo?" Online comments were sharp. Minutes after the announcement, thousands posted messages supporting Fedorov. One wrote bluntly, "I don't understand this decision." Another added, "A minister who gave hope to millions and showed what can happen when one cares about the victory of their country." Artem Bronzhukov, deputy director of the Politika research center, called the rapid turnover of defense ministers in Ukraine "abnormal," especially in a country waging a large-scale war against an enemy like Russia. He noted that Fedorov visibly improved the situation on the front and beyond in "three or four months." "The results are evident in the intermediate attacks, where Ukraine has turned the Crimean peninsula into a virtual island. In this context, Mykhailo Fedorov enjoys great trust. He has the support of our Western partners and the progressive part of the..."