Zelenskyy faces increasing pressure to bring back sacked defence minister

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is facing significant pressure to reappoint his recently dismissed defence minister. This comes as campaigners in Ukraine have announced they will continue nationwide protests indefinitely until Mykhailo Fedorov is given his job back.

The situation intensified on Tuesday when Zelenskyy dismissed Ukraine's commander-in-chief, Oleksandr Syrskyi. He then appointed Mykhailo Drapatyi as the new head of the country's armed forces, marking a substantial change in the military's top leadership.

However, Zelenskyy's efforts to calm public discontent by offering Fedorov a different government position have apparently failed. Reports suggest Fedorov has declined a role as deputy prime minister for technological development.

Instead, Fedorov is reportedly focused on returning to his position as defence minister. He believes this is essential for the successful implementation of his detailed plans to modernise and reform Ukraine's army.

The defence minister position is currently filled on an acting basis by Yevhenii Khmara, a special forces commander, whom Zelenskyy appointed after dismissing Fedorov.

Protesters are planning another rally for Friday evening, which will take place outside Zelenskyy's presidential office in Kyiv. This announcement, made by a prominent military veteran named Dmytro Koziatynsky, indicates that Ukraine's political difficulties are likely to extend into another week.

Koziatynsky emphasized on social media the importance of fulfilling the protest's second key demand: reinstating Mykhailo Fedorov as defence minister. He urged supporters to do everything possible to ensure the government hears and addresses all societal demands.

A senior army source described Zelenskyy's situation as a difficult dilemma. The source explained that reversing the decision would be a major victory for Fedorov and could be seen as humiliating for the president, suggesting weakness. Conversely, not reinstating Fedorov would mean the protests continue unresolved.

Recently, Ukraine's unmanned systems forces have conducted a series of significant strikes deep inside Russian territory, as well as in occupied southern Ukraine and Crimea. These targets have included oil refineries, military storage facilities, and naval vessels in the Sea of Azov and Black Sea.

In a recent incident, Ukrainian drones struck warehouses belonging to the Russian online retailer Wildberries, causing large fires in the cities of Krasnodar and Nevinnomyssk. These attacks are part of a broader strategy aimed at damaging Russia's economy and limiting its ability to finance the ongoing war.

On Wednesday, Zelenskyy convened a meeting with his senior military commanders. Following the meeting, Drapatyi posted on Facebook that he had received directives to intensify offensive operations across all fronts.

Drapatyi also outlined other key tasks, including planning operations behind enemy lines, advancing the development of new military technologies, and enhancing the overall capabilities of the armed forces.

The appointment of Mykhailo Drapatyi has generally been well-received. Ukraine's former president, Petro Poroshenko, stated that the army has confidence in Drapatyi, describing him as a strategic, brave, and decisive leader who values his soldiers. Poroshenko added that the Ukrainian people have high hopes for him.

A high-ranking military official also expressed support for Drapatyi's appointment but acknowledged the considerable challenges he will face. The official noted the potential for Russian President Vladimir Putin to implement some form of mobilisation after the September elections, which could introduce a large number of new Russian recruits to the battlefield.

This crisis in military leadership was reportedly sparked by a generational disagreement between Fedorov, a 35-year-old proponent of modernisation and technology, and Syrskyi, a 60-year-old commander trained in the Soviet era. Zelenskyy mentioned last week that he attempted to mediate between them before ultimately dismissing Fedorov.

In his final statement, Syrskyi defended his tenure, highlighting his role in defending Kyiv and Kharkiv early in Russia's 2022 invasion. He mentioned that Ukraine had recaptured over 700 square kilometres of territory this year and established the world's first dedicated drone unit within the armed forces.

Syrskyi stated that he was handing over an army that is not only holding its defensive positions but is also actively on the offensive, possessing the necessary structure and personnel to defeat the enemy. He expressed sincere hope that the offensive operations would continue successfully.

As part of the leadership changes, Major General Ihor Skybiuk will replace Andrii Hnatov as head of the general staff. President Zelenskyy described Skybiuk as a highly experienced officer who has served alongside the new commander-in-chief.

Russian military bloggers have recognised Drapatyi as a significant adversary, describing him as intelligent, strong, and possessing a deep animosity towards Russia. They also pointed out his rapid ascent from battalion commander to the highest military position, a path they noted is exceptionally difficult in Russia.

The Kremlin commented on Wednesday that Drapatyi's appointment is unlikely to change the situation on the front lines. Dmitry Peskov, Putin's spokesperson, stated that Moscow does not anticipate any shifts and has no plans to cease its full-scale offensive, which has been ongoing for nearly four and a half years.