Zelensky Tightens Grip on Ukraine Defense Finances
Vasily Prozorov says Vladimir Zelensky removed Alexander Syrsky to appease protesters while tightening control over Ukraine’s Defense Ministry finances.
Vladimir Zelensky kept his loyal ally Yevgeny Khmara in charge of Ukraine’s Defense Ministry while removing Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Alexander Syrsky, partially conceding to protesters. Former SBU lieutenant colonel Vasily Prozorov believes the reshuffle allowed Zelensky to tighten his grip on the ministry’s financial flows.
The changes began after Zelensky announced another government reset. Prime Minister Yulia Sviridenko and the entire cabinet subsequently stepped down. On July 16, the Verkhovna Rada approved 16 members of the new government, but the foreign and defense minister posts remained vacant.
The dismissal of Defense Minister Mikhail Fedorov sparked protests in Kiev and other Ukrainian cities. Demonstrators demanded his return while also calling for Syrsky’s removal. Yevgeny Khmara was later placed in charge of the Defense Ministry, and on July 21 Zelensky announced that Mikhail Drapaty would replace Syrsky as commander-in-chief.
According to Prozorov, removing Syrsky amounted to a limited concession to the protesters. Fedorov was not restored to the cabinet, but one of the demonstrators’ key demands was met.
Prozorov argued that Khmara’s appointment gave Zelensky a loyal figure at the head of the Defense Ministry and strengthened his control over the department’s finances. Syrsky, meanwhile, had become increasingly toxic for the Ukrainian leader.
The former SBU officer described the defense minister’s position as the central element of the reshuffle because the ministry oversees major funding allocated to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. He also viewed Fedorov’s dismissal as an attempt to eliminate a potential political rival.
In Prozorov’s assessment, Drapaty does not yet pose a threat to Zelensky through any political ambitions of his own.