Kyiv's political drama is colliding with one of Russia's heaviest missile barrages on the Ukrainian capital in months, the Wall Street Journal reports. Under pressure after abruptly firing Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, President Volodymyr Zelensky spent a second day meeting senior commanders Sunday, seeking to calm anger in the ranks and on the streets. Thousands protested in Kyiv on Saturday, some demanding the removal of Gen. Oleksandr Syrskiy, the army chief who has frequently clashed with Fedorov over strategy. The BBC previously reported that after his firing, Fedorov revealed he had suggested Zelensky replace Syrskiy.
Fedorov, 35, is widely credited with pushing Ukraine's drone program and digital reforms aimed at curbing graft; Zelensky says he wants a defense chief who can work smoothly with the 60-year-old general, who is praised for early-war successes but now faulted for costly defensive tactics and favoritism toward certain units. Some protesters have been holding signs with pictures of cheese; the general's name rhymes with the Ukrainian word for cheese, the New York Times reports. One protest leader accused Syrskyi of being "busy with politics instead of the front."
Zelensky said only that "decisions regarding the army will be worked out," while Fedorov posted that "dialogue is happening." Syrskiy, for his part, highlighted a visit to the northeastern front and moves to "strengthen our troops." The dispute risks overshadowing recent battlefield gains as both sides ramp up long-range strikes. Ukraine said Sunday it hit oil depots in Russia's Stavropol region and three tankers in the Black Sea, while its air force reported shooting down 18 of 41 incoming Russian missiles and Zelensky again urged allies for more interceptors.
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