Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday named career intelligence officer Yevgeniy Khmara as the country's acting defence minister. The appointment came a day after he removed Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, whose sudden dismissal triggered protests in Kyiv and renewed debate over Ukraine’s wartime leadership.

While announcing the decision on Facebook, Zelenskyy said Khmara had gained “extensive and, in many respects, unprecedented experience with technological combat operations.” He said the appointment showed that innovation and advanced military technology would remain at the centre of Ukraine’s defence strategy.

Fedorov’s Removal Triggers Public Protests

Hundreds of people gathered in Kyiv and several other Ukrainian cities to protest Fedorov’s removal. Many of the protesters were young Ukrainians who credited him with transforming the country’s military through rapid development of drones and defence technology.

They argued that Fedorov had played a key role in strengthening Ukraine’s battlefield capabilities and modernising its armed forces during the war with Russia.

Defence Reshuffle Highlights Leadership Tensions

The change in leadership has become one of the most politically sensitive decisions of Zelenskyy’s presidency since Russia launched its full-scale invasion more than four years ago. Although Ukraine has suspended elections under martial law, Zelenskyy has continued reshaping his government through cabinet changes.

During a press conference, Zelenskyy admitted that tensions had developed between outgoing Defence Minister Fedorov and Ukraine’s Commander-in-Chief, General Oleksandr Syrskyi.

“I’m just showing that if the sides can’t resolve an issue, I will have to resolve it,” Zelensky said. He added that the disagreement reflected wider institutional problems between the Defence Ministry and the military leadership rather than a personal conflict.

Fedorov Says Reforms Were Blocked

Fedorov openly accused General Syrskyi of preventing key military reforms needed to adapt Ukraine’s armed forces to modern warfare. He argued that the battlefield now depends heavily on drones, advanced technology and rapid innovation.

“Under this arrangement, I personally do not know how the war can be won,” Fedorov said, claiming several of his reform plans had been delayed or blocked.

Fedorov Led Ukraine’s Drone Modernisation

Before becoming defence minister in January, Fedorov served as Ukraine’s minister for digital transformation. He earned recognition for expanding the country's drone programme and introducing digital government services.

During his six months as defence minister, he redirected funding toward long-range strike weapons, fibre-optic drones, reconnaissance systems and missile programmes. He also introduced procurement reforms to improve transparency, reduce corruption and bring Ukraine’s defence administration closer to NATO standards.

Fedorov said these efforts helped Ukraine improve its military capabilities. He claimed the country had limited Russian forces’ access to the Starlink satellite communications system and expanded domestic weapons production. However, he admitted that he could not fully reform the ministry’s procurement system or introduce stronger accountability measures.

Syrskyi Thanks Outgoing Minister

General Syrskyi did not directly respond to Fedorov’s criticism. Instead, he thanked the outgoing defence minister in a Facebook post for his service and expressed hope that Fedorov would continue supporting Ukraine’s war effort in the future.

Government Overhaul Extends Beyond Defence Ministry

The government reshuffle also included changes outside the Defence Ministry. Ukraine’s parliament approved Serhii Koretskyi, the head of state energy company Naftogaz, as the country's new prime minister.

Zelenskyy said Koretskyi’s experience in the energy sector would help Ukraine prepare for another winter, when Russia is expected to launch fresh attacks on critical energy infrastructure.

Russian Missile Attack Hits Kyiv

The leadership changes came as Russia continued its military campaign. Overnight missile strikes on Kyiv killed two people and injured five others, including a child, according to Ukraine’s emergency authorities. The attacks highlighted the continuing security challenges facing the country.

Military Officials Also Protest Leadership Change

Fedorov’s dismissal also caused unrest within Ukraine’s armed forces. Deputy Air Force Commander Colonel Pavlo Yelizarov resigned in protest. He warned that removing Fedorov could weaken Ukraine’s air defence capabilities.

Many protesters shared similar concerns. They criticised General Syrskyi and praised Fedorov for modernising Ukraine’s military through technology and innovation.

Zelenskyy Faces Another Political Challenge

The controversy has become one of the biggest domestic political tests of Zelenskyy’s presidency. Last year, he faced widespread public protests after attempting to reduce the independence of Ukraine’s anti-corruption watchdogs. He later reversed that decision following public pressure.

Now, the latest government reshuffle has once again placed his leadership under close public scrutiny. Lawmakers are expected to decide on a permanent defence minister in the coming weeks. The decision will show whether the leadership changes improve military coordination or deepen divisions within Ukraine’s wartime government.