The row over the sacking of the popular defence minister, Mykhailo Fedorov, highlights questions about the country’s military and political direction

Even as Ukraine’s civilians endure brutal strikes by Russia, thousands of protesters have taken to the streets to call for the departure of the commander-in-chief, Oleksandr Syrskyi. Demonstrators are furious that Volodymyr Zelenskyy last week sacked Mykhailo Fedorov, the popular young defence minister, after he clashed with the general.

The 35-year-old politician, widely credited for significant improvements in Ukraine’s military performance and reducing corruption, made a scathing attack on the general after his dismissal – accusing him of blocking reforms and refusing to cooperate. Now it is widely rumoured that Gen Syrskyi will depart. The general claims to have been “surprised to learn …[of] a conflict” but seems to have seen the minister as exceeding his remit and effectively taking control of units. The pair also butted heads over Mr Fedorov’s plans to improve recruitment and training to reduce the deep anger created by the conscription system. A Soviet-schooled military officer deeply embedded within institutions has tussled with a young civilian disruptor taking a more agile, improvisational approach.

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