Former Ukrainian Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has stated that his efforts to overhaul the military’s procurement system were the primary reason behind his dismissal during a major political and military cabinet reshuffle.

Fedorov, who served in the post for six months, explained in an interview with *Ukrainska Pravda* that his administration prioritized launching a competitive tender system and restructuring the management of the Defence Ministry. He noted that dismantling the entrenched procurement processes sparked significant resistance and pressure from officials within and around the ministry.

Fedorov stated that the opposition to his reforms led affected figures to exert constant influence and spread negative narratives to President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and the broader media space.

President Zelenskiy replaced Fedorov with Yevhenii Khmara, the former head of the SBU security service. While Zelenskiy cited a conflict in worldview between Fedorov and Ukraine’s top military commander, Oleksandr Syrskyi (who was also replaced), Fedorov clarified that he had no personal rift with Syrskyi and that the Defence Ministry did not block decisions of the General Staff.

The decision to dismiss Fedorov, whose supporters credited him with boosting battlefield momentum through strategic strikes on Russian infrastructure, triggered protests across Ukraine calling for his reinstatement.