The plan to remove Fedorov was developed by Yermak, who is taking revenge on all actors involved in his prosecution

According to sources of Ukrainska Pravda in military and law enforcement circles, former head of the Office of the President Andriy Yermak visited the command post of Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrsky in one of the frontline regions.

The visit took place after Mykhailo Fedorov was dismissed from the post of Minister of Defense and following the public confrontation between the former minister and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Ukrainska Pravda sought comment from Andriy Yermak and also sent an official request to Oleksandr Syrsky.

On July 15, President Volodymyr Zelensky said he had not yet decided whether Mykhailo Fedorov would become Minister of Defense in the new Cabinet lineup after Yulia Svyrydenko leaves the post of head of government. Later, Member of Parliament Yaroslav Zheleznyak reported that Zelensky would nominate Ihor Klymenko, who heads the Interior Ministry, for the position of Defense Minister in place of Fedorov.

On July 16, Ukrainska Pravda, citing sources, reported that Zelensky had decided to dismiss Fedorov due to his conflict with Commander-in-Chief Syrsky. The Economist wrote that Fedorov had faced stiff resistance from the military leadership over his reforms, despite successes in developing drone technology and digitizing the army.

Fedorov himself confirmed the conflict with the Commander-in-Chief. According to him, Syrsky blocked all his initiatives and was not prepared to discuss problems, but was “ready to scheme.”

“I did not set conditions: either me or Syrsky. But I cannot stay silent,” — Fedorov said.

The Verkhovna Rada appointed the majority of ministers of the new government with 264 votes in favor, after which the Cabinet of Serhiy Koretsky is considered to have been formed.