Cover image: Des militants scandent des slogans lors d'un rassemblement pour dénoncer la décision du président Volodymyr Zelensky de limoger le ministre de la Défense Mykhailo Fedorov après six mois en poste, le 17 juillet 2026 à Kiev, en Ukraine. © Efrem Lukatsky, AP

Ukraine plunges into political crisis as anger over defence minister's dismissal grows

21 Jul 2026, 13:23 · France 24

Street protests were held for a fifth day on July 19 in Ukraine, over the firing of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. Fedorov was dismissed following frequent clashes with top Army general Oleksandr Syrsky, sparking indignation particularly among young Ukrainians, who credit the tech-savvy 35-year old Fedorov with innovative drone tactics that have given Ukraine new battlefield momentum against the Russian invasion. Fedorov has publicly blamed the 60-year-old Syrsky for his ouster. President Volodymyr Zelensky is now seeking to defuse the mounting political crisis and restore unity to the country's military.