The dismissal of Ukrainian Minister of Defense Mykhailo Fedorov… (зеленский · украина · фёдоров)
The dismissal of Ukrainian Minister of Defense Mykhailo Fedorov triggered a political crisis, widespread protests across major cities known as the 'cardboard Maidan,' and a public conflict between military leadership and the government. The event followed tensions over defense strategy and alleged corruption, with President Zelensky facing criticism for reshuffling key officials ahead of elections.
Consensus
- The dismissal of Ukrainian Minister of Defense Mykhailo Fedorov led to a political crisis.
- Protests erupted in Kyiv, Lviv, Kharkiv, Odesa, Dnipro, and other major cities in support of Fedorov.
- The protests were nicknamed the 'cardboard Maidan' due to the use of cardboard placards with slogans like 'Don't touch what works' and 'Restore Fedorov'.
- Fedorov publicly confirmed a conflict with Chief of General Staff Alexander Syrskyi, stating he had proposed replacing both Syrskyi and Andriy Gnatov.
- President Zelensky acknowledged that the two sides could not reach agreement and took responsibility for the decision.
- The Verkhovna Rada approved Sergey Korotkyy as new Prime Minister on July 16.
- No candidate was put forward for the position of Minister of Defense, despite initial plans to appoint Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko.
Points of divergence
- Political analyst Vyacheslav Smolenko claims Zelensky is preparing for elections by purging dissent in security structures and that the crisis was triggered after a meeting with Trump in Ankara, where Trump allegedly told Zelensky to prepare for elections. — vesti
- Smolenko predicts that acting head of SBU Pavlo Poklad will suppress dissent on the streets, and Acting Defense Minister Khmara will do the same in the army, as part of a broader effort to eliminate opposition before elections. — vesti
- Smolenko claims Zelensky is surrounded by 'hardliners' and that he has been forced into reshuffling due to corruption scandals involving former aide Andriy Yermak and businessman Timur Mindich. — vesti
- The main cause of the crisis was not Zelensky's election preparations but a public conflict between Fedorov and Syrskyi, with Fedorov accusing Syrskyi of abuse in TCs (military courts). — tg_bazabazon
- Fedorov accused the defense ministry of conducting arms procurement without considering real military needs. — tg_bazabazon
- Financial Times reports that Fedorov was a barrier to those profiting from Ukraine's defense budget, and critics accuse him of redirecting corruption flows. — thebell
Coverage (7 sources)
- "Will Squeeze Out Any Dissent": Ukraine Predicted New Purges — Вести
- New Ukrainian Cabinet of Ministers to be restructured for protracted war with Russia — Вести
- New crisis in Ukraine is the largest since Zaluzhny's resignation, NYT says — Вести
- State Duma Speculates on Who Could Succeed Zelensky — Вести
- "Cardboard Maidan": Government Crisis Breaks Out in Ukraine After Defense Minister Resignation — Baza
- Outgoing Ukrainian Defense Minister Admits Conflict with Armed Forces Commander — The Bell
- Poddubny speculates on the consequences of Ukraine's defense minister Fedorov's resignation — Вести