Volodymyr Zelenskyy has dismissed Ukraine’s popular defence minister, Mykhailo Fedorov, ignoring pleas from foreign partners and civil society to keep him in the job as part of a wide-ranging government reshuffle.

Fedorov, 35, announced his departure on Telegram, calling it a “great honour” to serve the Ukrainian people. He was widely credited with transforming the defence ministry and reducing corruption - a feat that usually qualifies as job security in most places, but apparently not here.

His six months in office coincided with a dramatic improvement in Ukraine’s battlefield position. Kyiv repeatedly hit Russian oil refineries with long-range drones, embarrassing Vladimir Putin and creating nationwide fuel shortages. Fedorov’s achievements included disabling Starlink for Russian troops and procuring more drones, used to destroy “enemy logistics” and isolate occupied Crimea. He also claimed to have “radically improved” the procurement system, saving the state budget “billions of dollars”. On his way out, he revealed Ukraine’s military had successfully tested a ballistic missile, boasting: “We fundamentally revised the technical requirements and achieved maximum accuracy. We reduced the cost by 30%. Ukraine will enter a new league.”

It remains unclear if Fedorov will get another cabinet post. On Wednesday, Ukraine’s parliament accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko after Zelenskyy said his government needed a reset. Her likely replacement is Serhiy Koretskyi, head of energy company Naftogaz.

Fedorov’s removal has outraged supporters and comes amid rumours of a feud with Ukraine’s commander-in-chief, Col Gen Oleksandr Syrskyi. Friends of Ukraine, including former US ambassador to Moscow Michael McFaul, urged Zelenskyy to keep Fedorov in his post. Serhii Sternenko, an aide to the sacked minister, wrote bitterly: “It is a pity our country today is significantly further from victory. Real reforms have not even been allowed to begin.” He complained of “deliberate delays” and “bureaucratic obstacles”.

Opposition politician Iryna Gerashchenko condemned the move, asking: “How is it that Zelenskyy’s only sensible appointment, Minister Fedorov, is in limbo today?” Online commentators were scathing: “I don’t understand this decision,” one wrote. Another added: “A minister who gave hope to millions and showed what can happen when you are interested in the victory of your country.”

Artem Bronzhukov, deputy director of the Politika thinktank, described the rapid turnover of defence ministers as “abnormal” in a country fighting a large-scale war. He noted Fedorov had visibly improved the situation on the frontline in “three or four months”, turning Crimea into a virtual island. “Against this background, there is a credit of trust in Mykhailo Fedorov,” Bronzhukov told Radio NV.