Protests in Ukraine over Zelensky’s ouster of popular defence minister

Open this photo in gallery:Protesters in multiple Ukrainian cities rallied Thursday against the removal of Mykhailo Fedorov. The former defence minister had been brought in six months ago to digitize and modernize Ukraine's army, fatigued after four years of fighting off the Russian invasion.Thomas Peter/ReutersUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s decision to dismiss the country’s defence minister has prompted a public outcry and raised doubts even among his supporters. Mykhailo Fedorov, 35, had only been in the post for six months but was widely credited with several battlefield successes, including the co-ordination of dozens of long-range drone strikes on targets deep inside Russia and causing havoc for Russian supply lines in Crimea. However, he also angered senior officers by pursuing an aggressive series of reforms. On Thursday, hundreds of demonstrators gathered in central Kyiv to protest his dismissal. Some carried signs that read, “Hands off Fedorov” and “Reforms must go on.” Mr. Zelensky confirmed during a news conference Thursday that he acted because of growing tension between Mr. Fedorov and Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, a long-time military officer. “The president is not supposed to pick sides in this kind of situation during wartime,” Mr. Zelensky said. “I would very much like unity. The ‌sides did not find it.”Russian strike on Ukraine kills three as battle over Black Sea intensifiesOleksiy Goncharenko, an independent MP in Ukraine’s parliament, said Mr. Zelensky viewed Mr. Fedorov as a rival. “He feels political competition from him,” Mr. Goncharenko said in an interview. “In Zelensky’s show, there should be just one star. When he feels somebody, another person, starts to shine, he is getting rid of such person.” “It’s a problem when the President puts his personal things ahead of the country’s interests,” he added. Whoever replaces Mr. Fedorov will be Ukraine’s third defence minister in a year. “I don’t think that’s good for the country,” Mr. Goncharenko said. Oleksandr Merezhko, an MP in Mr. Zelensky’s Servant of the People party, said he believes the President has not made a final decision yet. Mr. Zelensky “will continue to have consultations with Fedorov and so the events are only unfolding,” he said in an interview. Mr. Merezhko, who is chair of the parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee, questioned the decision to remove Mr. Fedorov. He noted that the former defence minister had won the confidence of Ukraine’s Western allies. “From my perspective we cannot ignore this,” he said. “If it was up to me, I would leave Fedorov in his position because I don’t see the reason to dismiss him.”Eight dead, dozens wounded as Russia strikes Ukraine with missiles, dronesMr. Zelensky had planned to name Ihor Klymenko, the Interior Minister, as defence minister but could not muster enough support among MPs, even within his own party. In a sign of the growing discontent, Mykyta Poturaiev, a prominent Servant of the People MP, announced his resignation from parliament Thursday in protest. Mr. Fedorov has been a close ally of Mr. Zelensky’s for years and ran the social media campaign that helped propel the former comedian to office in 2019. Mr. Zelensky appointed him minister for digital transformation and promoted him to defence last January. Mr. Merezhko said he was skeptical about Mr. Fedorov at first because of his lack of military experience. “But he proved himself rather effective,” the MP said. “He was just for six months in this position and he should have been given a chance to continue at least for one year.”In a lengthy Facebook post this week, Mr. Fedorov listed 22 accomplishments during his tenure at defence. They included blocking Russian forces from using the Starlink satellite service, developing a massive drone production program, changing the procurement system and introducing new contracts for military servicemen and women. Under “what failed” he listed: “Complete the organizational transformation of the Ministry of Defence according to NATO standards and common sense.”Ukraine and U.S. have reached political agreement on Patriot missile licenses, Zelensky saysDuring his own news conference Thursday, Mr. Fedorov said major changes were needed if Ukraine hoped to prevail over Russia. “We need fundamental personnel decisions. A new commander-in-chief, a new chief of general staff, so that our young commanders are no longer held back,” he said. He said Mr. Zelensky had offered him an advisory role, but he declined. The political crisis began Tuesday with the resignation of prime minister Yulia Svyrydenko, prompting the dismissal of her entire cabinet, which included Mr. Fedorov. Mr. Zelensky made it clear the next day that he would name a new government but it would not include Mr. Fedorov. On Thursday, MPs approved Mr. Zelensky’s pick for prime minister: Sergii Koretskyi, a former chief executive of state-owned oil and gas company Naftogaz. Parliament also approved a new cabinet except for the posts of defence and foreign affairs minister. Late in the day, Mr. Zelensky named Major-General Yevhen Khmara, the acting head of the Security Service, as acting Defence Minister.Mykola Bielieskov, a Kyiv-based defence analyst, said the new Defence Minister will face several challenges. Mr. Fedorov “raised the bar quite high” in terms of developing military technology and communicating effectively with Ukrainians and the country’s international partners, Mr. Bielieskov said in an interview. He doubted there would be an immediate impact on the battlefield, but if the next team can’t develop a coherent defence policy, it will be felt on the front line.