Zelensky faces backlash after firing popular defense minister

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is facing rare public protests and pressure after firing his popular technocratic defense minister, Mykhailo Fedorov.

Fedorov's firing came as part of a surprise government reshuffle, which removed Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko after less than a year in office. Fedorov had held his position for an even shorter period of time, roughly six months, but he made a name for himself as an energetic reformer and advocate for an entrepreneurial focus on drone production and warfare.

Zelensky neglected to explain why he fired Fedorov but stressed that he would stay on his team. Fedorov doesn't seem so sure, however, and said on Thursday that he rejected an offer to stay in the government in an advisory role.