Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has dismissed Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov following a rift with Army Commander Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi, a move that has sparked protests and backlash from civil society groups across Ukraine.

Zelenskyy confirmed the breakdown in relations between the two officials during a press conference in Kyiv on Thursday, saying they were unable to work together effectively amid the ongoing war.

“Those two could not work together. A wartime president must not face such choices, honestly. I want unity, but the sides did not find it. I respect both,” Zelenskyy said. 

“They even refused to sit at the same table without me,” he added. “I had to make a choice.”

Zelenskyy did not specify the reasons for Fedorov’s dismissal. However, media reports citing people familiar with the matter point to differences over military leadership. Fedorov reportedly advocated for a Western-style “mission command” approach, while Syrskyi favored a more centralized, Soviet-era command structure. 

The two also reportedly clashed over Fedorov’s efforts to reform Ukraine’s defense procurement system.

A 35-year-old technology specialist, Fedorov was previously Ukraine’s first minister for digital transformation before he was appointed Ukraine’s Minister of Defense on January 14. He was credited with reducing bureaucracy, expanding digital systems, and promoting a more technology-driven approach to Ukraine’s war effort against Russia.

After his dismissal, Fedorov wrote on X that it had been “a great honour to serve the Ukrainian people” as defense minister and highlighted what he described as the ministry’s main achievements during his six months in office. These included disrupting Starlink access for Russian forces and launching initiatives to increase Ukraine’s domestic drone production.

It has been a great honor to serve the Ukrainian people as the Minister of Defense.

Here is what our team managed to achieve:

1. Disabled Starlink access for Russian forces.

2. Took over a Ministry of Defense with zero budget, took a risk, reallocated funds from payroll from… pic.twitter.com/18B5QQaeqL

— Mykhailo Fedorov (@FedorovMykhailo) July 15, 2026

Fedorov later criticized Syrskyi, questioning whether Ukraine could achieve victory under his command. “Instead of figuring out how to defeat Russia asymmetrically, which is the commander-in-chief’s task, he figured out how to split the country,” Fedorov said. He also alleged that Syrskyi played a role in his removal.

More than 1,000 protesters gathered outside the presidential office in Kyiv on Thursday, carrying signs that read: “For what?” and “Is your head screwed on?” while chanting “Syrskyi out” in opposition to Fedorov’s dismissal.

Protesters gathered in Kyiv ahead of parliament’s vote on the new government, opposing the resignation of Defense Minister Fedorov.

Video: Radio Liberty pic.twitter.com/lJH2ALphDv

— KyivPost (@KyivPost) July 16, 2026

Col. Pavlo Yelizarov, deputy commander of Ukraine’s Air Force, announced his resignation in protest over Fedorov’s removal, warning that the decision would damage Ukraine’s defense capabilities and increase risks from Russian missile and drone strikes. 

UNITED24 Media, a state-run Ukrainian media outlet, temporarily halted publishing as members of its editorial and social media teams joined protests against Fedorov’s removal.

Dear readers, our team has temporarily paused publication as our journalists, editors, producers, and social media team take part in protests following the dismissal of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. pic.twitter.com/gwXUDndtce

— UNITED24 Media (@United24media) July 16, 2026

Responding to Fedorov’s dismissal and the protests, Syrskyi highlighted his role in leading Kyiv’s defense in 2022.

“I am proud that thanks to the Kyiv defense operation in 2022, we managed to defend our capital,” Syrskyi wrote on Telegram. “And now this city can host briefings, shape visions, and make decisions.”

Syrskyi said he would “do everything possible” to preserve Ukraine’s ability to operate “in a free and independent Ukraine” and remain focused on the war. He also thanked Fedorov for his service and expressed hope that he would “remain part of Team Ukraine.”

Zelenskyy said SBU chief Yevhenii Khmara would replace Fedorov as acting defense minister. He added that existing defense programs would continue despite Fedorov’s removal, including funding for combat brigades, personnel reforms, expanded drone supplies, and agreements with international partners.