Zelensky sacks Ukraine's defence minister and army chief

Volodymyr Zelensky fired Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov and Commander-in-Chief General Oleksandr Syrskyi after days of protests triggered by tensions between the two men. Yevhenii Khmara, formerly a senior figure in the SBU security service, takes over the defence ministry, while 43-year-old Major General Mykhailo Drapatyi becomes the new military chief.

The departure of Fedorov, a 35-year-old computer expert and former IT minister, carries significant implications for Europe. He was the architect of Ukraine’s innovative drone warfare strategy and had actively worked "to broaden cooperation with foreign defence industry partners," making him a highly valued contact for European arms manufacturers. He was also recognised for rooting out corruption within the defence ministry, a critical concern for Western allies supplying military aid.

Colonel Andriy F, a former general staff member involved in international weapons acquisition, noted that Fedorov successfully used drones to compensate for critical shortages in artillery and missile ammunition. His strategy aimed to kill more Russian soldiers each month than Moscow could replace, while crippling Russia’s war economy by targeting oil, gas, and weapons logistics facilities.

However, Fedorov failed to address the military's severe and worsening manpower shortages, which ultimately caused his falling out with Zelensky. The president has indicated he wants to offer Fedorov another position, though no agreement has been reached.

Syrskyi, 60, was credited with major early war victories, including the defence of Kyiv and the 2022 Kharkiv counteroffensive. Yet he faced intense criticism from younger, Nato-trained officers for his rigid, Soviet-era hierarchical style and an apparent disregard for troop casualties.

Drapatyi brings a starkly different reputation. He first earned widespread recognition in 2014 by refusing to surrender in Mariupol and instead leading a flawless armoured breakout without losses. He is viewed as completely untainted by Soviet military culture.

His appointment is expected to boost military morale at a critical juncture. Major "Hrizny", a 26-year-old air defence commander in Kyiv, highlighted that old-school officers exacerbated manpower issues by denying soldiers leave. “I think that Drapatiy understands the importance of regular leave so service people can spend time with their families and maintain personal relationships. That would lift morale enormously.”

Drapatyi’s willingness to embrace modern tactics signals a generational shift in Ukraine's military leadership. The colonel noted that Zelensky consulted widely before the promotion, predicting the move will stabilise the armed forces as they continue to rely heavily on European support.