Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has dismissed Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov as part of a broad government reshuffle, according to The Guardian.
The decision came despite appeals from civil society and foreign partners urging Zelenskyy to keep Fedorov in office.
Fedorov announced his departure on Telegram, calling his service a "great honour."
The 35-year-old minister was widely praised for reforming the defense ministry and implementing anti-corruption measures.
During his six-month tenure, Ukraine made significant battlefield gains, including long-range drone strikes on Russian oil refineries that caused nationwide fuel shortages in Russia.
In his farewell statement, Fedorov highlighted key milestones such as disabling Starlink access for Russian forces and securing more drones to disrupt enemy logistics and isolate occupied Crimea.
He also noted that the procurement system was radically improved, saving the state budget billions of dollars.
On his last day in office, Fedorov announced that the Ukrainian military had successfully tested a new ballistic missile.
"We fundamentally revised the technical requirements and achieved maximum accuracy. We reduced the cost by 30%.
Ukraine will enter a new league," he said.
It remains unclear whether Fedorov will receive another cabinet position.
Recently, Ukraine's parliament accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko after Zelenskyy called for a government reset.
Naftogaz energy company head Serhiy Koretskyi is positioned as her likely successor.
Fedorov's removal sparked backlash from supporters and follows rumors of disagreements with Ukraine's commander-in-chief, Col. Gen.
Oleksandr Syrskyi.
International figures, including former US ambassador to Moscow Michael McFaul, had urged Zelenskyy to retain the minister.
Serhii Sternenko, an aide to Fedorov, expressed deep disappointment, pointing out that bureaucratic obstacles and delays hindered ongoing reforms.
He said the country had moved further away from victory as a result of the ouster.
Opposition politician Iryna Gerashchenko questioned the move in parliament, calling Fedorov the only sensible appointment made by Zelenskyy.
Public reaction online was critical, with thousands posting messages of support for Fedorov.
Artem Bronzhukov, deputy director of the Politika think tank, told Radio NV that rapid turnovers of defense ministers are abnormal during a large-scale war.
He emphasized that Fedorov had visibly enhanced the frontline situation in just a few months, turning Crimea into a virtual island and earning trust from progressive society and Western partners.
