Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has ordered a broad government reshuffle that led to the removal of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov and the appointment of a new prime minister. The decision sparked protests in several cities across the country and drew the attention of European partners, coinciding with a visit to Kyiv by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

Fedorov, 35, former deputy prime minister and digital transformation minister, had been appointed head of the Defense Ministry in January 2026. According to several outlets, Fedorov had sought to reform the armed forces but clashed with military leadership, particularly Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi. Fedorov confirmed his resignation, stating he had declined Zelensky's offer to remain as an adviser. The Ukrainian president reportedly justified the decision citing growing tensions between Fedorov and the military leadership and the failure to advance military draft reform.

As soon as the news spread, thousands of citizens took to the streets in Kyiv and other cities, including Lviv, waving Ukrainian and European flags and chanting slogans such as "shame" and "reinstate Fedorov." Among the protesters were military personnel and war veterans. The digital outlet United24 Media announced it was suspending publications to join the protests. Several lawmakers from the ruling Servant of the People party expressed reservations about the new appointment, to the point that the designated successor, current Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko, might not secure the necessary votes in the Rada. Other sources indicate Yevhenii Khmara, head of the SBU intelligence service, as interim successor.

Regarding the government leadership, the Kyiv Parliament approved the appointment of Serhiy Koretsky, former CEO of the state-owned company Naftogaz, as the new prime minister, replacing Yulia Svyrydenko, who had been in office for one year.

European Defense Commissioner Andrius Kubilius expressed great surprise at Fedorov's dismissal, describing his working relationship with him as highly productive and recalling the results achieved in supporting Ukraine's defense, including 60 billion in European funding. Kubilius requested clarification from the Ukrainian president regarding the future leadership of the Defense Ministry.

On the same day, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen traveled to Kyiv, meeting with Zelensky to discuss Ukraine's accession to the European Union, drone sector agreements, and additional defense funding estimated at around 3 billion euros. During the visit, Zelensky awarded Von der Leyen the Order of Europe honor. According to reports, the visit was also marked by missile alerts that forced the delegation to take shelter in a bunker.

Military operations on the ground continued with reciprocal attacks: explosions were reported in Kyiv after midnight, while Ukrainian sources reported strikes on Russian bases, including the one at Engels. Escalation was also recorded on the Sea of Azov and attacks on the city of Odesa.