LONDON, July 18. /TASS/. Vladimir Zelensky dismissed Mikhail Fyodorov as Ukraine's defense minister because he repeatedly blocked attempts to steer lucrative state procurement contracts to favored companies, the Financial Times (FT) reported, citing several sources.
According to the newspaper, this led to a conflict of interests between Fyodorov and influential figures in Ukraine's political and military leadership, including Commander-in-Chief Alexander Syrsky. Fyodorov repeatedly accused the Ukrainian General Staff of blocking Defense Ministry initiatives. In particular, he believed decisions were based not on professional competence but on loyalty, while Syrsky ignored or bypassed the defense minister's decisions to obtain Zelensky's approval.
"Syrsky went against civilian orders. Generals should never go against the government. It's against the Ukraine law on national security. But Zelensky has allowed it," the newspaper quoted a senior Ukrainian Defense Ministry source as saying.
The source added that Yevgeny Khmara's appointment as defense minister would eventually lead to another confrontation with Syrsky because both are strong and independent leaders who will compete for control.
