KYIV
\nJust when Ukraine appeared to be gaining momentum on the battlefield, President Volodymyr Zelensky ordered a surprise government reshuffle that included the dismissal of his defense minister, triggering rare protests across the country.
\nParliament has approved a new prime minister \u2014 former head of the state gas operator Naftogaz, Sergiy Koretsky \u2014 and most of his team.
\nBut the appointment has been overshadowed by opposition to the removal of the popular Mykhailo Fedorov as defense minister, and his blistering attack on the army\u2019s top commander.
\n– Why now? –
\nThe shake-up comes less than a year since the last reshuffle and only six months after Fedorov was appointed with a remit to reform the military.
\nIt also happens at a moment of relative optimism for Kyiv in the war, with Ukrainian troops having stalled Russian momentum and intensified strikes on Russia\u2019s territory.
\nZelensky has given little explanation, saying only that \u201cit is important to prepare the country for winter\u201d \u2014 a task he entrusted to Koretsky.
\nOpposition lawmaker Inna Sovsun told AFP the move \u201ccame out absolutely unexpected.\u201d
\nIntrigue has surrounded the timing.
\nPolitical expert Volodymyr Fesenko said the reshuffle was likely linked to Zelensky\u2019s desire to appoint former prime minister Yulia Svyrydenko as US ambassador, after Ukrainian media reported the current envoy was facing a corruption probe.
\nKoretsky is being tasked with preparing Ukraine and the energy sector for winter, when Russia is set to resume attacks that have crippled the power grid and left millions without heating or electricity in subzero temperatures.
\n– Defense split –
\nThe ousting of Fedorov has divided the country and military establishment, triggering street protests and unusually direct political statements from senior military figures.
\nFedorov said his removal was triggered by army chief Oleksandr Syrsky, who he alleged had presented Zelensky with an ultimatum.
\n\u201cA president in wartime should not have to choose in such a situation, honestly,\u201d Zelensky said, saying the two sides were barely on speaking terms.
\n\u201cI would very much like unity,\u201d he added.
\nAppointed in January, Fedorov pushed modernization of the army, which led him to clash with the more traditional Syrsky.
\n\u201cWe need to focus on the war and on an effective strategy,\u201d Syrsky said.
\nA deputy air force commander resigned in protest, saying Fedorov\u2019s removal would \u201cdo great evil to the country\u2019s defense.\u201d
\nUkraine\u2019s Joint Forces Commander Mykhailo Drapaty, a rumored possible successor to Syrsky, said the army \u201cneeds change\u201d and must not halt the reforms.
\nZelensky has appointed Yevgeniy Khmara, a career intelligence official with a low political profile, as acting defense minister.
\n– Under-fire top commander –
\nCentral to the row are Fedorov\u2019s allegations that Syrsky was a block on much-needed reforms to a military worn down by four years of war and hit by scandals over the treatment of conscripts.
\nSyrsky was born in Soviet Russia in 1965 and stayed in Ukraine when the Soviet Union collapsed.
\nHis reputation as an effective commander was burnished in the first months of the war, leading the defense of Kyiv after Russia\u2019s invasion and successfully halting attempts to seize the capital.
\nHe also commanded Ukraine\u2019s lightning autumn 2022 counter-offensive in the northeastern Kharkiv region which recaptured swathes of territory.
\nBut he has faced criticism for resembling Soviet-style generals and not caring about human losses, in contrast to Fedorov, who favored a war of drones designed to spare lives.
\nAnalysts said Zelensky ultimately chose not to change his top commander at a crucial moment, opting instead to remove Fedorov, his long-time aide and supporter.
\n– What next? –
\nThough Zelensky has appointed an acting defense minister, the formal appointment needs approval by parliament.
\nNo session to vote on the replacement has yet been scheduled.
\nFresh protests calling to reinstate Fedorov are planned for Friday evening in various Ukrainian cities.
\n– War impact –
\nRussian military bloggers rejoiced over the chaos, with one thanking Zelensky for removing a minister who \u201ccaused so many problems\u201d for Moscow\u2019s troops.
\nDrone pioneer Maria Berlinska said the country had lost a \u201cmega-competent minister\u201d who would have \u201cmanaged to turn the tide.\u201d
\n\u201cWe won\u2019t feel the consequences tomorrow… but by late autumn, and definitely winter, we will feel them,\u201d she added.
\nA Ukrainian soldier serving on the front line told AFP they were baffled by the decision.
\n\u201cUnfortunately, political decisions directly determine how we fight, what we fight with, and how many people will return from this war alive.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
KYIV Just when Ukraine appeared to be gaining momentum on the battlefield, President Volodymyr Zelensky ordered a surprise government reshuffle that included the dismissal of his defense minister, triggering rare protests across the country. Parliament has approved a new prime minister \u2014 former head of the state gas operator Naftogaz, Sergiy Koretsky \u2014 and most […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":556891,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-556865","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-world"],"yoast_head":"\n