Zelensky faces political crisis after ousting defence minister Fedorov

While parliament confirmed Serhii Koretskyi as the new head of government, the defence portfolio remains vacant until at least 18 August due to the summer recess. Zelensky has appointed Yevhen Khmara, the acting head of the SBU known for his role in the 2022 liberation of Snake Island, to manage the ministry in the interim. Despite Khmara’s reputation as a war hero, the decision to remove Fedorov—a figure widely regarded as a successful reformer—has drawn sharp backlash from civil society and prominent commentators.

During an hour-long press conference, Fedorov defended his tenure, citing his negotiations with Elon Musk to restrict Russian access to Starlink as a key achievement. More significantly, he used the platform to air a direct conflict with commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrsky and accused the administration of consistently misleading the public. Protesters in Kyiv and other cities have since demanded transparency, arguing that the chaotic nature of the reshuffle undermines both military morale and domestic cohesion. Journalist Illia Ponomarenko characterized the dismissal as a grave political error, suggesting the move has exposed a deepening rift between the president and the reformist wing of his government.