The interview provides insight into the political pressures shaping Ukraine's defense sector during the ongoing war. In an interview published by Ukrainska Pravda on July 29, 2026, Mykhailo Fedorov revealed that his resignation as defense minister was not due to any personal conflict with the General Staff. Instead, he cited the escalating pressure he faced since early April over the restructuring of defense tenders and procurement processes. Fedorov stated that he had warned President Zelenskyy in advance about potential slander campaigns targeting his political ambitions and his involvement with drone companies.
Fedorov's Departure from the Defense Ministry
Fedorov, a seven-year veteran of the government, noted that private companies had placed their appointees in key positions within the Ministry of Defense. He described how "many people surrounded the Ministry of Defense and me as minister," and that "the temperature kept rising" from April onward. The pressure intensified as, according to Fedorov, "the largest Telegram channels in Ukraine were bought up and started working purely against me and my team." Criminal cases were also opened against members of his team, compounding the difficulties.
The Real Reasons and What Comes Next
Fedorov believes that the broader government resignation was used as a smokescreen to remove him. He learned about the plan to appoint a new minister just half an hour to an hour before a vote within the parliamentary faction. The official reason given for his dismissal was a conflict with the General Staff, but Fedorov denied having a personal clash with the commander-in-chief, describing it instead as "a worldview conflict."
After his removal, Fedorov turned down an offer to become vice prime minister, explaining that "a vice prime minister without a ministry is essentially an advisor who can advise the system but cannot build a team." He affirmed his intention to remain in Ukraine and continue advancing the vision for the war that he developed while at the Ministry of Defense.
Parliament voted to dismiss Fedorov, and the Cabinet appointed Yevhen Khmera as the acting head of the Ministry of Defense.
"Parliament removed me from the post of defense minister, but it cannot take away the vision and ideas of what to do next," Fedorov concluded.
Fedorov's resignation highlights the complex internal political dynamics in Ukraine, particularly the influence of private interests on the defense sector. According to Fedorov, the pressure on the ministry was not only a result of his political ambitions but also points to deeper issues in how the country's defense is managed. The appointment of acting minister Yevhen Khmera could be a crucial step toward stabilizing the ministry, though it remains unclear how this will affect the execution of strategic objectives amid the ongoing war.
In light of Fedorov's resignation, the Ukrainian government has swiftly appointed a new acting defense minister to ensure continuity in leadership during these challenging times. This decision underscores the urgency of reform within the defense sector, which has become increasingly crucial as the conflict continues. For more details on the newly appointed minister and the implications for Ukraine's defense strategy, see the full story here.