Protests Break Out in Kyiv After Zelenskyy Dismisses Defense Minister
Was his position untenable or the result of trying to root out corruption in the military?
Above: Mykhailo Fedorov (C) seen alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv on May 11, 2026. Image credit: Danylo Antoniuk/Anadolu/Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
Aside from clashing with the commander-in-chief, which cannot happen in a time of war, Fedorov was brought in to make improvements to the military mobilization system, but had failed to demonstrate meaningful progress in this regard.
Establishment-critical narrative
Fedorov's dismissal is baffling. He was making numerous reforms that were having tangible results on the battlefield, including tackling the deep-rooted corruption in the military. This is likely the real reason he was let go from his position.
