Ukraine reshuffle puts defense minister in focus as war grinds on

KYIV — As President Volodymyr Zelenskiy prepares to reshuffle his cabinet, attention is focused on Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, a 35-year-old technology expert whose possible removal could affect Ukraine's war effort against Russia.

Appointed just six months ago, Fedorov has led efforts to modernize Ukraine's military by improving efficiency, expanding drone capabilities, and reforming defense procurement.

Maria Berlinska, a volunteer and drone warfare advocate, credited Fedorov's innovative leadership with helping cut through bureaucracy. She described him as "a thoughtful, mature Ukrainian with Cossack military cunning" after meeting him shortly after his appointment.

It remains unclear whether Zelenskiy will retain Fedorov as defense minister during his second cabinet reshuffle in a year. Even if he is renominated, some lawmakers have questioned whether parliament will approve his appointment during a vote scheduled for Thursday.

Supporters say Fedorov's efforts to reform defense procurement have upset entrenched interests, while critics argue that progress on military recruitment reforms has been too slow.

Cabinet shake-up raises concerns

Zelenskiy announced the government overhaul on Sunday, describing it as a move to bring "renewal" to the government and law enforcement agencies.

The departure of Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko after only a year in office prompted the resignation of the entire cabinet under Ukraine's political system. Parliament must approve the president's nominees for defense and foreign ministers.

Some lawmakers have warned that replacing Fedorov could disrupt the Defense Ministry at a critical stage of the war, as Ukraine intensifies attacks on Russian energy infrastructure while continuing to face shortages of air defense systems and military personnel.

Opposition lawmaker Solomiia Bobrovska urged lawmakers to preserve stability at the Defense Ministry despite the broader government reshuffle.

Military backing

Before becoming defense minister, Fedorov served as Ukraine's first minister of digital transformation, where he expanded online government services through a widely used mobile application.

Since taking over the Defense Ministry, he has overseen increased drone procurement and promoted a more data-driven military strategy aimed at wearing down Russian forces.

Andriy Nazarenko, commander of the 72nd Mechanized Brigade's unmanned systems battalion "Bulava," said he fully supports Fedorov, adding that many military personnel share the same view.

Critical stage of the war

Ukraine has recently intensified strikes on Russian oil refineries and military logistics as it seeks to weaken Russia's war effort. Moscow, however, maintains that it remains on track to achieve its objectives in the conflict, now in its fifth year.

Despite recent gains, Ukraine continues to face major challenges, including shortages of U.S.-made missile interceptors needed to defend cities from ballistic missile attacks and preparations for another winter of Russian strikes on the country's power grid.

Fedorov's reforms to address military manpower shortages are still underway, while problems involving recruitment, abuse, and mismanagement continue to affect parts of the armed forces.

Russian forces also continue advancing toward key Ukrainian defensive positions in the eastern Donetsk region.

Serhii Kuzan, head of the Ukrainian Security and Cooperation Center think tank in Kyiv, said the reforms introduced under Fedorov should become permanent institutions within the ministry regardless of who leads it.

He said strengthening institutions, rather than relying on a single individual, is essential to ensuring the long-term stability of Ukraine's defense system. -Additional reporting by Anna Pruchnicka, Olena Harmash and Yuliia Dysa; Editing by Mike Collett-White and Sharon Singleton/Reuters