Zelensky Dismisses 35-Year-Old Fedorov After Drone-First Strategy Clash With Top General
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jul 17
Zelensky Dismisses 35-Year-Old Fedorov After Drone-First Strategy Clash With Top General
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jul 17
Summary
Volodymyr Zelensky ousted Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov this week, removing a fast-rising 35-year-old official whose profile had grown with Ukraine’s drone push.
The break centered on procurement: Fedorov blocked artillery ammunition purchases in favor of drones, while Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi argued shells were still essential for trench fighting in eastern Ukraine.
The dismissal suggests Zelensky rejected Fedorov’s vision of drones as the near-total future of the war and sided with the military command in that dispute.
Political analysts and opposition figures said Fedorov’s popularity also made him a potential rival, turning a battlefield strategy fight into a broader power struggle inside Kyiv.
After cleaning up defense corruption, why was Ukraine's popular minister fired mid-war?
How will Kyiv's shakeup impact Trump’s Patriot missile deal and his call for peace talks?
Is Zelenskyy's government reset about winning the war or consolidating political power?
July 2026 Ukrainian Government Reshuffle: Fedorov’s Ouster, Cabinet Overhaul, and the Battle for Defense Reform
Overview
On July 15, 2026, Ukraine underwent a major government reshuffle, highlighted by the non-reappointment of Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov and the resignation of Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko, which led to the departure of the entire Cabinet. This comprehensive reset in leadership paves the way for a new government, with Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko widely expected to become the next Defence Minister. The changes sparked public concern and calls for demonstrations in Kyiv, as many citizens voiced frustration over frequent reshuffles and the replacement of effective ministers with more convenient figures, reflecting growing unease about political stability and reform.