KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has reorganized his wartime administration, a decision that brought thousands of demonstrators into the streets Thursday to protest the dismissal of his young defense minister. The minister was widely regarded as a driving force behind Ukraine’s advances in drone warfare but had clashed with the country’s traditional military leadership.

The broader reshuffle — which also included replacing the prime minister — may test Zelenskyy’s political standing as Ukraine’s battle against Russia’s full-scale invasion nears four and a half years. With elections suspended under martial law, Zelenskyy has remained in office, periodically reconfiguring his government during the war.

The changes have unsettled Ukraine’s military command at a sensitive moment, as recent operations against Russian forces have shown progress while Moscow continues relentless aerial assaults. Overnight missile strikes on Kyiv killed two people and injured five others, including a child, according to Ukraine’s Emergency Service.

Explaining the shake-up, Zelenskyy pointed to tensions between outgoing Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov and Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi, commander of Ukraine’s armed forces.

“If disagreements cannot be settled internally, then I must step in and resolve them,” Zelenskyy said during a news conference.

The outgoing defense chief was seen as a modernizer

Outgoing Ukraine’s Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov speaks during a briefing to journalists in Kyiv, Ukraine, Thursday, July 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Dan Bashakov)

Fedorov, 35, built a reputation as an energetic reformer whose technological focus helped sharpen Ukraine’s performance against Russia’s larger military. His tenure lasted just six months.

Appearing before reporters in a dark T-shirt and jeans, Fedorov accused Syrskyi of obstructing reforms he believed were essential in a conflict transformed by drones and other emerging technologies.

During his time in office, he helped secure limits on Russian access to the Starlink satellite communications system, strengthening Ukraine’s ability to conduct midrange strikes and improve battlefield coordination.

Fedorov said he had been prepared to cooperate with Syrskyi but claimed that many of his proposals were systematically stalled.

“Under the current arrangement, I do not see how victory is possible,” he said.

On social media, he outlined achievements he considered pivotal: redirecting salary funds toward strike capabilities, expanding fiber-optic drone programs, increasing reconnaissance systems and accelerating weapons procurement. He cited contracts for Patriot missile defenses, successful ballistic missile testing and sweeping procurement reforms.

Still, he acknowledged falling short of fully restructuring the Defense Ministry along NATO lines, implementing competitive tenders across the board and embedding a stronger culture of accountability.

Syrskyi did not appear publicly but issued a statement thanking Fedorov for his work and expressing hope he would continue contributing to Ukraine’s efforts.

Zelenskyy appointed Maj. Gen. Yevhen Khmara as acting defense minister. Khmara has led the country’s security service since January and previously commanded its elite Alpha special forces unit.

The president described the rift between the Defense Ministry and military leadership as structural rather than purely personal, adding that both sides share responsibility for the resulting tensions.

“We achieve victory together, and we must also answer together for decisions that create confusion or public concern,” Zelenskyy said, speaking alongside British Prime Minister Keir Starmer during the latter’s final overseas visit before leaving office.

Mostly young protesters support Fedorov

Syrskyi, 60, directed Kyiv’s defense in the early days of Russia’s February 2022 invasion and later oversaw a successful counteroffensive in the Kharkiv region. Born in 1965, he was educated at the Moscow Higher Military Command School and served in the Soviet Artillery Corps prior to the Soviet Union’s collapse.

Ukrainians gather to denounce President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s decision to dismiss Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov after six months in the post, Kyiv, Ukraine, Thursday, July 16, 2026. Placard reads: Fedorov is a minister of innovation. (AP Photo/Danylo Antoniuk)

Under Fedorov’s leadership, Ukrainian forces had slowed Russia’s front-line advances and carried out strikes on refineries and energy infrastructure inside Russian territory, contributing to fuel shortages, according to Western officials and analysts. For many Ukrainians, that track record made his dismissal difficult to accept.

Before taking the defense portfolio in January, Fedorov led Ukraine’s digital transformation efforts. He gained popularity by promoting rapid drone development and expanding e-government services.

As minister, he prioritized anti-corruption measures, a particularly sensitive issue in Ukraine. He described pushing back against entrenched interests within the ministry and seeking greater transparency in weapons procurement.

He had also pledged sweeping reforms to address manpower challenges, citing roughly 200,000 cases of desertion and draft evasion among an estimated 2 million eligible individuals.

Young demonstrators in Kyiv and other cities voiced support for Fedorov, chanting slogans calling for a more European-style military and criticizing Syrskyi’s leadership.

Kyiv resident Bohdan Huryak said he was angered by the decision.

“He delivered results on the battlefield,” Huryak said. “We could see progress and renewed confidence. Removing him after only six months makes no sense.”

Ukrainians gather to denounce President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s decision to dismiss Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov after six months in the post, Kyiv, Ukraine, Thursday, July 16, 2026. Placard reads: Bring back Fedorov. Do not destroy defense capability. (AP Photo/Danylo Antoniuk)

Russian military commentators and pro-Kremlin bloggers seized on the controversy. Some portrayed Fedorov’s remarks as open defiance of Zelenskyy.

Meanwhile, Ukraine’s deputy air force commander, Col. Pavlo Yelizarov, resigned in protest, warning that the change could weaken air defenses and increase casualties from Russian strikes.

“I believe dismissing Mykhailo Fedorov harms our defense capability,” he wrote in his resignation statement.

State energy company chief is new prime minister

Lawmakers overwhelmingly confirmed Serhii Koretskyi, head of the state energy firm Naftogaz, as Ukraine’s new prime minister.

In nominating him, Zelenskyy emphasized Koretskyi’s energy-sector experience, arguing that it would be critical as Ukraine prepares for another winter marked by intensified Russian attacks on power infrastructure.

The 48-year-old engineer built his career in business rather than politics, managing fuel and food enterprises for over two decades before being appointed to lead struggling state energy companies. He developed a reputation as a crisis manager capable of restoring profitability.

Zelenskyy has previously faced public backlash over government decisions. In July 2025, widespread protests erupted after he accelerated legislation that would have limited the independence of anti-corruption agencies.

Confronted with mounting criticism, he reversed course and introduced new legislation to safeguard those institutions.

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Dan Bashakov and Dmytro Zhyhinas contributed.