# Ukraine political crisis deepens amid leadership reshuffles > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/ukraine-defence-minister-dismissal-controversy > Updated: 2026-08-24T22:52:31.000Z. Sources: 579. Developments: 18. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s mid-July 2026 removal of defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov—following clashes over procurement reforms—sparked the largest anti-government protests in Ukraine since the 2022 invasion. Demonstrations spread across cities including Kyiv, Lviv, Dnipro, Odesa, and Kharkiv, with citizens demanding Fedorov’s reinstatement and expressing dissatisfaction with wartime mobilisation, military corruption, and reform delays. Fedorov was replaced by acting minister Yevhen Khmara, who was confirmed as permanent Minister of Defence in August 2026. The reshuffle also included the dismissal of army chief Oleksandr Syrskyi and Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko. In response to unrest, Zelenskyy appointed Serhiy Koretsky as Prime Minister, Mykhailo Drapatyi as Supreme Commander, Rustem Umerov as head of the Foreign Intelligence Service, and Ihor Klimenko as Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council. Since his dismissal, Fedorov has become a prominent figure of internal opposition. On August 18, he challenged Zelenskyy to establish a legal mechanism for wartime elections, arguing that ‘democracy must not be held hostage by Russia.’ On August 24, Fedorov issued a warning that Ukraine appears to be ‘slowly losing’ the war, claiming the state operates at only 5 percent of its potential due to corruption and clientelism. He advocated for a strategic shift toward AI-driven drones and domestic ballistic missiles. The President’s office dismissed these claims, suggesting Fedorov’s stance stems from his change in personal status and pursuit of independent political ambitions. By August 26, Fedorov accepted a role as an advisor on defense innovation to the Italian Defense Minister, stating he will assist Italy in developing technologies for modern warfare. ## Claims - Fedorov’s dismissal was linked to a conflict with army commander‑in‑chief Oleksandr Syrskyi. (disputed by 21 sources) - The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAP) are conducting a special operation to uncover a criminal organization. (corroborated by 43 sources) - Mykhailo Fedorov called for the establishment of a legal mechanism to hold elections during the ongoing war. (corroborated by 36 sources) - Ukrainian law prohibits holding elections during martial law. (corroborated by 36 sources) - Several thousand people protested in Kyiv on 31 July 2026 demanding Fedorov's reinstatement. (corroborated by 33 sources) - Mykhailo Fedorov was dismissed from his role as Defense Minister in July 2026. (corroborated by 28 sources) - President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed Iryna Mudra from her position as deputy head of the Office of the President. (corroborated by 28 sources) - President Zelensky described holding elections during the war as a ‘tsunami’ that would fracture the nation. (corroborated by 28 sources) - Fedorov claimed Ukraine is experiencing a systemic crisis of governance. (corroborated by 26 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-24: Zelensky rejects calls for wartime elections in Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky has rejected calls from former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov to hold elections during the war, warning that such a move could destroy and split the country. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/zelensky-rejects-calls-for-wartime-elections-in-ukraine-1 ### 2026-08-24: Mykhailo Fedorov warns Ukraine is slowly losing war with Russia Former Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov warns that Ukraine is “slowly losing” the war, citing corruption and a lack of innovation as key obstacles to reversing the conflict's trajectory. 16 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/putin-sets-new-deadline-for-donbas-capture-amid-failed-military-objectives ### 2026-08-22: Zelensky rejects wartime elections to prevent national division President Zelensky has rejected calls for wartime elections, warning they would cause a national ‘tsunami’ of division. Allies in Kyiv are meeting to discuss increased air defense and military aid. 303 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mykhailo-fedorov-alleges-widespread-corruption-in-ukraines-ministry-of-defense ### 2026-08-20: Ukraine faces political crisis amid high-level corruption investigations Ukraine faces a systemic political crisis as anti-corruption authorities launch Operation Forest Gump, targeting high-ranking officials and leading to the dismissal of Presidential Administration Deputy Iryna_M 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ukraine-faces-political-crisis-amid-corruption-probes ### 2026-08-20: Mykhailo Fedorov calls for wartime elections in Ukraine Former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has called for wartime elections in Ukraine to combat a governance crisis, sparking intense debate over legality, national unity, and corruption. 21 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ukrainian-protesters-distance-themselves-from-mykhailo-fedorov ### 2026-08-20: Mykhailo Fedorov reportedly planning US trip amid political rift Former Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov may visit the US to secure defense tech funding amid political friction with President Zelenskyy over wartime election proposals. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mykhailo-fedorov-reportedly-planning-us-trip-amid-political-rift ### 2026-08-19: Ukraine: President Zelenskyy dismisses top aide amid corruption probe President Zelenskyy dismissed deputy presidential aide Iryna Mudra amid a NABU investigation into an alleged criminal organization involving lawmakers and the laundering of 150 million hryvnia. 115 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ukraine-president-zelenskyy-dismisses-deputy-head-of-presidential-office ### 2026-08-18: Mykhailo Fedorov calls for wartime elections in Ukraine Former Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has called for wartime elections, challenging President Zelenskyy's administration and citing a systemic governance crisis amid ongoing corruption probes. 164 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ukraine-parliament-resumes-sessions-amid-defense-and-foreign-affairs-vacancies ### 2026-08-16: Ukraine protests erupt over dismissal of Defense Minister Fedorov Thousands of Ukrainians are protesting in major cities to demand the reinstatement of former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov and greater government accountability following recent leadership changes. 11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ukraine-protests-erupt-following-dismissal-of-defense-minister-fedorov ### 2026-08-11: Ukraine faces political crisis amid major leadership reshuffles Ukraine faces a major political crisis following President Zelenskyy's dismissal of key officials, including Defense Minister Mikhail Fedorov and Commander Oleksandr Syrskyi, sparking widespread protests. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ukraine-faces-political-crisis-amid-major-leadership-reshuffles ### 2026-08-08: Mikhail Fedorov calls for urgent Ukrainian mobilization reform Former Defense Minister Mikhail Fedorov calls for mobilization reform in Ukraine, prioritizing the resolution of over 200,000 AWOL cases and improving recruitment transparency. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mikhail-fedorov-calls-for-urgent-ukrainian-mobilization-reform ### 2026-08-05: Ukraine protests surge after defense minister Mikhail Fedorov's dismissal Ukraine’s biggest protests since 2022 erupted after President Zelensky dismissed Defence Minister Mikhail Fedorov, reflecting public anger over war‑time mobilisation, corruption and a split between traditional‑ 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ukraine-protests-surge-after-defense-minister-mikhail-fedorovs-dismissal ### 2026-08-01: Ukrainian minister Mykhailo Fedorov dismissed over alleged Soros meeting President Zelensky removed Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, with journalist Vladimir Boyko alleging the decision stemmed from a meeting with Soros‑linked activists discussing Fedorov’s possible presidential‑c 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ukrainian-minister-mykhailo-fedorov-dismissed-over-alleged-soros-meeting ### 2026-07-31: Kyiv protests demand reinstatement of ousted defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov Thousands protest in Kyiv demanding the return of ousted defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov after his July dismissal, amid calls for dialogue and a new year for reforms. 45 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mykhailo-fedorov-protests-persist-in-kyiv-as-thousands-demand-his-return ### 2026-07-30: Ukraine’s ex‑defense minister Mikhail Fedorov says he was dismissed over procurement reforms Former Ukrainian defence minister Mikhail Fedorov says his six‑month stint ended because anti‑corruption procurement reforms angered powerful interests, prompting President Zelensky to fire him. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ukraines-exdefense-minister-mikhail-fedorov-says-he-was-dismissed-over-procurement-reforms ### 2026-07-28: Mykhailo Fedorov dismissed over defence procurement reforms, protests erupt Mykhailo Fedorov was dismissed in July 2026 over defence procurement reforms; he blames the reforms, denies personal conflict with Oleksandr Syrskyi, and protests erupted demanding his return. 25 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/volodymyr-zelenskyy-rejects-calls-to-reinstate-mykhailo-fedorov-amid-growing-ukrainian-protests ### 2026-07-25: Ukraine's ex-defence minister Mykhaylo Fedorow refuses new role, heightening political risk Ex‑defence minister Mykhaylo Fedorow rejects any role except reinstatement, sparking a political dispute that may aid Russian propaganda amid Ukraine's war. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ukraines-ex-defence-minister-mykhaylo-fedorow-refuses-new-role-heightening-political-risk ### 2026-07-24: Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto offers advisory role to ousted Ukrainian minister Mykhailo Fedorov Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto offered ousted Ukrainian defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov an advisory role in Rome; Fedorov praised for innovation, Zelensky’s dismissal sparked protests, and Russia’s Z 35 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italian-defence-minister-invites-former-ukrainian-defence-minister-fedorov-to-serve-as-adviser --- Cite as: Ukraine political crisis deepens amid leadership reshuffles. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/ukraine-defence-minister-dismissal-controversy