If Ukraine is winning the war, why did Zelenskyy fire his defence minister?

If Ukraine is winning the war, why did Zelenskyy fire his defence minister?

Author: Chatham House July 31, 2026 Duration: 34:56

Ukraine's drone strikes deep into Russian territory coincided with one of Kyiv's biggest political and military convulsions of the war: Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy fired the popular defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov only for his decision to spark protests across the country. Why did Zelenskyy do it? Has the power struggle damaged his authority? Is Ukraine really regaining the initiative in the war? And what will it take to force Russia to the negotiating table?

John Lough examines the potential turning point in the war with Vadym Prystaiko, former Ukrainian ambassador to the UK; Sir Lawrence Freedman, Emeritus Professor of War Studies at Kings College London; and Jaroslava Barbieri of Chatham House's Ukraine Forum.

Produced by Podmasters for Chatham House, with thanks to Sara Seth and Stephen Farrell.

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