Kyiv protests erupt as Zelenskyy reshuffles Cabinet and drops Fedorov

Kyiv,UPDATED: Jul 16, 2026 14:16 IST

Protesters gathered in central Kyiv on Thursday after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy moved to dismiss Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, as parliament convened to appoint a new prime minister in a major government reshuffle.

The shake-up could become a test of Zelenskyy’s political authority as Ukraine’s fight against Russia’s full-scale invasion approaches 4 years. Zelenskyy has nominated Naftogaz CEO Serhii Koretskyi to take over as prime minister, with parliamentary Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk announcing the move in a social media post late Wednesday.

Fedorov, whose technological expertise is credited in part with a significant improvement in Ukraine’s military performance in recent months against Russia’s bigger army, was expected to leave the government after only six months in the post. Zelenskyy did not formally announce his departure. However, Fedorov listed his achievements in office in social media posts late Wednesday, after days of unconfirmed Ukrainian media reports that he was on his way out.

Before becoming defence minister in January, the 35-year-old Fedorov led Ukraine’s digital transformation policies and was seen as a moderniser. He gained public popularity by leading Ukraine’s rapid development and deployment of drone technology and by introducing several successful e-government platforms.

After taking over as defence minister, Fedorov also promised sweeping military reforms. He said the military had faced about 200,000 troop desertions and draft-dodging by around 2 million people.

Zelenskyy said on Wednesday that Koretskyi was the ‘most appropriate candidate’ for the government’s priority of preparing Ukraine for another difficult winter. He cited the Naftogaz chief’s experience in the energy sector. The reshuffle has therefore brought together changes in both the defence and political leadership at a critical stage in the war.

With PTI Inputs

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