Who is Mykhailo Fedorov? The minister behind Ukraine’s military strategy as the first drone | Today’s news
The dismissal of Ukraine’s popular Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, just six months after his appointment, sparked rare wartime protests in several cities on Thursday following a major cabinet reshuffle by President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Sharing a list of his team’s accomplishments during his tenure, Fedorov confirmed his departure on X’s social media platform, saying, “I will continue to work on the mission I originally brought to the Department of Defense: to defeat the enemy through asymmetry, speed of innovation, and strength of organization.”
Why was he expelled?
Zelenskyy has not publicly stated the reason for Fedorov’s supposed departure and has not yet named a successor. Fedorov reportedly had a strained relationship with General Oleksandr Syrsky, commander of the Ukrainian armed forces.
Fedorov accused Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrsky of trying to divide the war-torn country, detailing the feud between the two that led to his removal and sparked protests in his support.
According to AFP, Fedorov told reporters in Kiev: “Instead of figuring out how to defeat Russia asymmetrically – which is the task of the commander-in-chief – he figured out how to divide the country in which we all live today.”
What to know about his tenure
At the age of 28, Fedorov was appointed to Zelensky’s first cabinet as minister for digital transformation, a new position that allowed him to push for technology-driven reforms. In January 2026, he was promoted to the post of Minister of Defense.
He has become the youthful face of his country’s successful anti-drone program and is often dubbed the “drone champion”. He is also known for starting the crowdfunding initiative “Drone Army” to bring drones to the front line and bypass traditional channels. His technological approach is said to have put him at odds with senior military officials, who argued that the infantry remained indispensable. Defense suppliers were further upset by a program he introduced that allowed soldiers to buy weapons directly through a website called the “Amazon of Arms.”
What to know about his equation with Elon Musk
After a full Russian invasion in 2022, Fedorov urged Elon Musk to activate SpaceX’s Starlink service in Ukraine. Since then, tens of thousands of Starlink terminals have been deployed by the Ukrainian military, often referred to as the lifeblood of its battlefield communications. Fedorov is also reportedly credited with working with Starlink to block Russia’s unauthorized access to the service.
Why does his passing matter?
Fedorov was one of Ukraine’s strongest pillars in the field of drones and robotic warfare. His dismissal has raised questions about whether the country will continue to prioritize innovation in the fight against Russia’s much larger military.
With input from agencies
