Ukraine is putting pressure on Russia. So why is the country's defence minister being ousted now?

https://i.cbc.ca/ais/e637ed7e-8c06-4f49-a0ec-672185d606e9,1784225885610/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C235%2C4500%2C2531%29%3BResize%3D%28620%29" title="People protest against Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's decision to replace Mykhailo Fedorov as defence minister, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine, July 16, 2026.

REUTERS/Thomas Peter" width="620" />

Mykhailo Fedorov was Ukraine’s fourth defence minister to serve in the role since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of the country, but the first whose ouster has led to public backlash.