Photo: Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Telegram
Outgoing Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov said Ukraine's military leadership demanded his dismissal, claiming Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi issued an ultimatum that led to his removal from office.
Speaking at a briefing reviewing his tenure, Fedorov argued that Ukraine needs new military leadership to adapt to the changing nature of the war, saying both Syrskyi and Chief of the General Staff Andrii Hnatov should be replaced if the country wants to defeat Russia through asymmetric means and with fewer casualties.
Fedorov said he had previously accepted President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's decision to keep Syrskyi in command and tried to work with him despite disagreements. However, he claimed the Defense Ministry's initiatives were increasingly blocked and accused Syrskyi of avoiding direct discussions about problems within the military.
"He issued an ultimatum," Fedorov said, adding that Syrskyi focused on internal political struggles instead of developing new strategies to counter Russia.
At the same time, Fedorov stressed that he had never demanded a choice between himself and Syrskyi and acknowledged the commander's role in defending Ukraine during the 2022 campaigns around Kyiv, Kharkiv and Kherson. He argued, however, that the war has fundamentally changed and now requires a technology-driven approach and a different command system.
Fedorov's remarks come amid a broader government reshuffle, during which he is expected to leave the Defense Ministry.
