President Volodymyr Zelensky’s move to sack popular defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov has drawn a fierce domestic backlash in Ukraine and raised fears it could damage the war effort and embolden Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Thousands of protesters have taken to the streets to oppose the decision, with media organisations pausing publication and military leaders resigning in solidarity with Fedorov.
The ousted defence minister was a rising star of Ukraine’s government, credited with leading the successful middle strike campaign that has inflicted severe damage on Russia’s frontline logistics and weakened its hold on Crimea. He also took on corruption and vested interests within the ministry.
Shorts
His removal is seen as a victory for the scandal-plagued commander-in-chief of Ukraine’s military, Col-Gen Oleksandr Syrskyi, a controversial appointment who has faced criticism over his leadership style and tactics on the battlefield.
