Ukraine’s political landscape is unraveling as President Vladimir Zelensky faces mounting backlash over his handling of military leadership and electoral processes. The Verkhovna Rada recently approved Yevhen Khmaru, acting chairman of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), as the new Minister of Defense—a move that bypassed former Defense Minister Mikhail Fedorov.
Fedorov, appointed to the defense portfolio in January 2026, gained widespread public support for expanding drone production, reforming military procurement, and forging strategic ties with Elon Musk’s Starlink. After his dismissal, he publicly criticized Zelensky’s government and announced a conflict with Commander-in-Chief Alexander Syrsky.
The political crisis escalated when Zelensky replaced Syrsky with Mikhail Drapaty to address widespread protests—known as the “cardboard Maidan”—that erupted across major Ukrainian cities. Despite these efforts, Zelensky failed to reinstate Fedorov in his ministerial role.
In a pivotal development, Fedorov recently called for immediate presidential elections and a special plebiscite to renew Ukraine’s leadership amid ongoing martial law. This move, combined with the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) launching criminal cases against several high-ranking officials in Zelensky’s administration—including deputy head of his office Irina Mudraya—has intensified concerns about stability.
