Zelenskyy’s Wartime Cabinet Shake-Up Triggers Unrest
A crisis of his own – What started as spontaneous frustration regarding the removal of Mykhailo Fedorov has rapidly transformed into widespread public anger concerning Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s handling of military affairs. Demonstrators are now calling for sweeping transformations within the highest echelons of military leadership. The Ukrainian president finds himself navigating a tense confrontation between Fedorov—a technologically adept former defence minister backed by both armed forces personnel and civil society organizations—and the army chief who has been central to Ukraine’s ongoing conflict.
A Surprise Political Overhaul
On Sunday, July 12, Zelenskyy revealed an extensive cabinet reorganization. Given that nationwide elections remain suspended under martial law conditions while Moscow continues its full-scale invasion, adjusting the cabinet represents the president’s primary mechanism for political revitalization. Speculation about a potential prime minister resignation had been circulating for several weeks, yet Euronews sources originally anticipated such a reorganization would occur in late August or early autumn. Instead, Yulia Svyrydenko’s government was dismissed merely five days before marking its first anniversary in office.
The dismissal of Svyrydenko and the rapid appointment of Sergii Koretskyi as Ukraine’s new prime minister received relatively little public attention. However, significant commotion surrounded the defence ministry changes. Lawmakers approved nearly an entirely new wartime cabinet along with Koretskyi’s nomination on Thursday—a decision widely viewed as sensible considering his experience as chief executive of state energy corporation Naftogaz and his crisis-management positions at Ukrnafta and Ukrtatnafta.
Protests Erupt Across the Nation
Within parliament, Koretskyi committed to prioritizing defence matters, economic stability, and European Union integration. Beyond the legislative chamber, thousands of demonstrators demonstrated that the fundamental contest over who controls the armed forces—and the manner in which they are controlled—had only just commenced. While governmental changes at the highest level followed a recognizable pattern of Zelenskyy recruiting technocratic managers to strengthen the wartime economy, disturbances within the defence ministry have created a considerably more unpredictable situation.
Protests in Kyiv and additional urban centers have continued into their second day without any indication of diminishing. Crowds are calling for comprehensive restructuring of military leadership and expressing dissatisfaction with Fedorov’s removal. The young defence minister, celebrated as a representative of a new generation of technology-oriented reformers, delivered a dramatic press conference on Thursday following his dismissal. During this address, Fedorov accused commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrskyi of hindering military reform, exacerbating divisions, and “splitting the country.” He informed reporters that Zelenskyy had decided to retain Syrskyi rather than himself.
Confusion and Unanswered Questions
On Friday, presidential adviser Dmytro Lytvyn commended Fedorov’s press conference performance. “It was a really great press conference, and if government officials communicated openly and clearly at this level more often, it would make things a lot easier for all of us here,” he stated within a WhatsApp chat with journalists. Nevertheless, Lytvyn failed to clarify the reasons behind Fedorov’s dismissal, instead citing “a lot of sensitive issues.” He promised that “once all the changes have been implemented, we’ll explain in more detail.”
Since speculation about the cabinet reshuffle began circulating, a WhatsApp group associated with the presidential office experienced constant activity. Yet dozens of inquiries from both Ukrainian and international media outlets remained unanswered as the modifications were finalized. Notably, the announcement of Fedorov’s departure originated from the minister himself rather than from Zelenskyy, who ultimately authorized the decision.
On Thursday evening, the Ukrainian president revealed that Yevhenii Khmara, head of Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU), would serve as acting defence minister. Addressing journalists through the presidential WhatsApp chat on Friday, adviser Lytvyn attempted to rationalize Khmara’s selection and the disorganized implementation. “What’s driving things at the moment is long‑ and mid‑range strikes,” he explained, noting that “Khmara is really brilliant at this.” He declined to address subsequent questions regarding why Fedorov was removed from his position as one of the principal architects behind Ukraine’s effective strike operations.
A Political Cornered
The hasty selection of an acting defence minister from the security services strengthened the impression that Zelenskyy may be protecting himself and his administration from examination rather than directly addressing concerns about strategy, mobilisation efforts, and conditions at the front lines. In attempting to establish greater authority over the defence establishment, the president has inadvertently created a political crisis. He likely did not foresee the magnitude of public reaction to Fedorov’s removal and now discovers his available options have become limited. Restoring Fedorov to his position would be interpreted as a personal retreat and could potentially worsen tensions with Syrskyi, the nation’s top army commander.
