Mykhailo Fedorov, who served as Ukraine's defense minister for six months, has been dismissed as part of a significant government reshuffle. While there was no immediate comment from the office of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the move marks a notable change in the country's leadership during the ongoing war.
Oleksandr Merezhko, a lawmaker representing Zelenskyy’s party, stated that the 35-year-old minister was fired due to clashes with traditional military generals and his controversial reforms regarding military conscription. It is expected that Zelenskyy will nominate Ihor Klymenko, the current interior minister and a former police general known for more conventional ideas, as a replacement. The Interior Ministry currently oversees units within the National Guard.
During his tenure, Fedorov—who previously led the Ministry of Digital Transformation—was credited with driving a dramatic improvement in Ukraine's battlefield position. He gained recognition for his push to utilize cutting-edge drone technology in warfare, including the use of mid-range drone strikes to disrupt Russian logistics in Crimea and other occupied territories. Furthermore, he successfully persuaded Elon Musk to disable Starlink terminals used by Russian forces and implemented new transparency reforms for arms procurement.
Reflecting on his departure, Fedorov told reporters in Kyiv that he was proud of his team's accomplishments. He noted that he had received support from various defense ministers and leaders in the tech sector, including Palantir's Alex Karp, who offered him a position that he declined. "I don't need to be Minister of Defense just to be Minister of Defense," Fedorov said. "I need this position so we can win this war."
Ihor Fedirko, head of the Ukrainian Council of Defense Industry, praised Fedorov’s impact, stating, "One of the faces of the modern and technological war it's Mykhailo Fedorov. He totally changed the rules. He's not afraid to take some risk or responsibility." Defense technology is currently the fastest-growing industry in Ukraine, with the defense sector accounting for at least 30% of the nation's GDP.
In other government changes, Parliament has approved Serhii Koretskyi, the former CEO of Naftogaz, as the new prime minister. Lawmakers are still required to confirm the appointment of Fedorov's successor.
