Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismisses Ukraine’s defence minister on eve of Starmer visit

What Happened

On 3 September 2025, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, a widely popular and reformist figure, as part of a broader government reshuffle. Fedorov confirmed his departure in a Telegram post, highlighting achievements including disrupting Russian forces' access to Starlink, a surge in domestic drone procurement that enabled long-range strikes on Russian oil refineries and isolation of occupied Crimea, and a successful test of a new ballistic missile with 30% reduced cost. His six-month tenure saw a notable improvement in Ukraine's battlefield position. Parliament also accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, with Naftogaz head Serhiy Koretskyi mentioned as a likely successor. The reshuffle proceeded despite public appeals from Western partners, including former U.S. Ambassador Michael McFaul, and vocal criticism from civil society, opposition lawmaker Iryna Gerashchenko, and Fedorov's aide Serhii Sternenko, who cited bureaucratic obstacles to reform. Rumours of a feud with Commander-in-Chief Col. Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi circulated.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The dismissal of an effective defence minister during a high-intensity phase of Russia's invasion risks disrupting Ukraine's rapid adaptation in drone warfare, long-range strike capacity, and anti-corruption procurement—areas where Fedorov had demonstrably delivered. The shake-up could strain confidence among Western backers and the Ukrainian public, especially if it stems from internal political feuds rather than performance. The simultaneous departure of the prime minister suggests a consolidation of presidential control but may also signal instability within the war cabinet. A poorly managed transition could slow the production and deployment of critical capabilities, such as ballistic missiles, at a time when Ukraine seeks to maintain momentum and pressure on Russian logistics.

Watch For

Confirmation of new defence and prime ministers and their backgrounds; parliamentary votes on the appointments; any shift in drone procurement or Starlink disruption tactics; progress on the ballistic missile programme post-Fedorov; public and international reactions to the new cabinet; and whether the rumoured break between Zelenskyy's office and the Syrskyi-led military command escalates.