Ukraine’s ousted defence minister insists on being reinstated

Ukraine’s former defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov has rejected President Volodymyr Zelensky’s offer of another government role, saying he wants to be restored as defence minister. The dispute matters because Fedorov’s removal prompted nationwide protests and has exposed tensions over Ukraine’s military leadership and the direction of reforms during the war with Russia.

Fedorov, 35, said the president, defence minister and commander-in-chief were the only civilian leadership roles able to shape the war decisively, and argued his team’s strategy had helped Ukraine regain battlefield initiative. He was replaced by former security official Yevhenii Khmara, while Zelensky dismissed commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrskyi after protests and appointed Mykhailo Drapatyi; however, Fedorov’s supporters say demonstrations will continue until he is reinstated.