KYIV, July 16 (Reuters) - Protests erupted in Ukraine on Thursday over the dismissal of the reforming defence minister, Mykhailo Fedorov, as lawmakers prepared to vote on a new government at a critical point in Kyiv's conflict with Moscow.
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's second cabinet shake-up in a year has generated public anger over his exclusion of Fedorov, a 35-year-old tech expert who has aimed to reshape Kyiv's outmanned army into a more efficient fighting force.
Hundreds of people took to the streets in the capital Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities in rare wartime protests to demand an explanation.
A proposed new government under energy executive Sergii Koretskyi would see the current interior minister, Ihor Klymenko, replace Fedorov, lawmakers said, a move that has rattled faith in Zelenskiy's wartime leadership.
Fedorov confirmed on X late on Wednesday that his tenure was ending, but Zelenskiy has not yet publicly commented on the move.
As the lawmakers' debate on the proposed new government got under way, Koretskyi is expected to be approved in a vote later in the day. But the votes on other ministers are less certain to pass.
DRONE WARFARE LEADER RESIGNS IN RESPONSE
Ukraine is in its best battlefield position since late 2022, striking Russia's oil sector and military logistics in drone and missile attacks that have weakened Moscow's war machine.
But Kyiv's forces still face grinding Russian advances in the east amid a critical shortage of ground troops, as well as a lack of air defences as Moscow steps up strikes with ballistic missiles.
"In difficult moments, Zelensky behaves like a hero," wrote Vitalii Sych, chief editor of Ukrainian outlet NV. "But we should not forget that difficult moments are often caused by his idiotic decisions."
Pavlo Yelizarov, a deputy commander of Ukraine's air force and a key leader in drone warfare, announced his resignation on Thursday in response to Fedorov's dismissal — calling it "a great evil" for Ukraine's defence.
DEMONSTRATION NEAR PRESIDENT'S OFFICE
In Kyiv, more than 1,000 protesters rallied outside Zelenskiy's office to chants of "Shame!" and carrying placards with phrases like, "For what?" and "The Russians are celebrating".
The scene was reminiscent of major protests last July, when a public outcry forced Zelenskiy to reverse an unpopular measure stripping anti-corruption agencies of their independence.
"We're in favour of an upgrade — not a downgrade," said a protester who identified himself as Ali, who described Fedorov as an effective and modern manager.
"We see results, we see clear progress in our fight for freedom."
Other protesters demanded that Zelenskiy oust top general Oleksandr Syrskyi instead.
ZELENSKIY SAYS GOVERNMENT NEEDS RENEWAL
Fedorov, who had previously served as Ukraine's first digital transformation minister, has been credited with cutting bureaucracy, boosting drone warfare and pursuing a data-driven strategy to exhaust Russian forces.
But supporters say his attempts to clean up defence procurement have angered parts of the establishment. He has also been criticised for failing to deliver quickly enough on his pledge to reform recruitment.
Zelenskiy announced his latest shake-up to widespread shock on Sunday, arguing the government and law enforcement agencies needed "renewal".
On Wednesday, he told reporters that he expected the defence ministry and military leaders to work with greater unity — appearing to confirm speculation that tensions had developed between Fedorov and top generals.
It was not immediately clear whether Fedorov would be offered another government job.
(Reporting by Dan Peleschuk, Yuliia Dysa; Editing by Sharon Singleton and Alison Williams)
