Deputy Commander of Ukraine’s Air Force Pavlo Yelizarov has resigned, saying his decision was prompted by the dismissal of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov.
In a post on Facebook, Yelizarov said he had submitted his resignation after nearly five years of full-scale war.
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“Unfortunately, in the fifth year of the war, I have submitted my resignation from the Armed Forces of Ukraine. I believe that the dismissal of M. Fedorov is a great evil for the country’s defense capability. Glory to Ukraine!” Yelizarov wrote.
He added that he has no intention of continuing his service in the military.
According to RBC-Ukraine, lawmakers from the ruling Servant of the People party held two meetings on July 15 to discuss the composition of the new Cabinet of Ministers.
Naftogaz CEO Serhiy Koretsky is expected to become prime minister.
One of the key unresolved issues was the leadership of the defense ministry. Earlier reports suggested either Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko could be appointed defense minister or Fedorov could remain in the post.
Following the second faction meeting, lawmaker Olha Vasylevska-Smahliuk said President Volodymyr Zelensky would nominate Klymenko as defense minister.
Zelensky later said he decided to replace Fedorov because the outgoing minister and the commander-in-chief, Oleksandr Syrsky, had different visions of how the war should be fought.
The president added that Fedorov would remain part of his team but did not specify what role he would take. Zelensky also expressed confidence that Klymenko would be able to address ongoing problems with territorial recruitment centers (TRCs) and Ukraine’s mobilization system.
Protests Planned Over Fedorov's Dismissal as Defense Minister
Parliament is expected to vote on the new cabinet on Thursday, July 16. At the time of publication, lawmakers were considering the appointment of Koretsky as prime minister.
A protest against the dismissal of Fedorov drew several thousand people to Kyiv’s Ivan Franko Theater on Thursday, according to a Kyiv Post correspondent.
Demonstrators gathered outside the theater, near the Presidential Office, demanding that Zelensky reverse his decision and keep Fedorov in office.
The site holds symbolic significance, having hosted the mass protests in 2025 over the independence of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO).
Protesters carried signs reading “Change or Perish” and “Efficiency Is Contraindicated,” arguing that Fedorov’s dismissal could derail defense reforms. Police said the demonstration remained peaceful, with no incidents reported.
Fedorov’s removal is part of a broader government reshuffle that also saw Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko leave office. The decision has drawn criticism from opposition lawmakers, political analysts, and European Commissioner for Defense Andrius Kubilius, who called the resignation “a big surprise” and stressed the importance of preserving Ukraine-EU defense cooperation.
Kubilius said the EU would seek assurances that joint weapons and drone production programs continue uninterrupted.
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