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DW News 16 Jul 2026 18:44 40 here now

Why remove the architect of Ukraine's battlefield success? | DW News

The removal of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has exposed deep tensions inside Ukraine's wartime leadership, after Fedorov accused Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi of dividing the country. Form

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What battlefield success…?
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What "battlefield success"?
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@Joe-m1k From YouTube ↗ 17 Jul 2026 45
Big money delivering big items like big payouts ...
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it’s all about the money, Zelenskyy is no fool. Fedorov turned the war around, he knows this. Firing Fedorov must be the lesser of two evils . When you factor in money, that means the fear of corruption being exposed and Europe withholds financing, is the only that fits this scenario. Basically Ukraine still has major corruption. The two squabbled about control of appropriations (money). Zelenskyy assumed that controlling Fedorov was easier than explaining to the EU that the corruption was being corrected.
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@CS_247 From YouTube ↗ 17 Jul 2026 7
BIG mistake. Follow the money now. I'm betting it either ends up in the coffers of the traditional weapons manufactures, or Syrski's own dacha somewhere...
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Fedorov has been a game changer and will hopefully continue to be so
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Federov doesn't completely blame Zelensky as seen in an interview earlier. It was because the commander in chief and other senior officers pressured the president but honestly Zelensky shouldn't have backed down.
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@kiwi-6363 From YouTube ↗ 17 Jul 2026 261
Looks like traditional miltary contractors lost their kickbacks and extra payments, and they arranged for Zelensky to get it back
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@chris24j48 From YouTube ↗ 17 Jul 2026 262
Zelensky needed to get rid of the Old Russian Generals instead of Fedorov
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It is amazing that the highly competent and intelligent Fedorov, who has changed the whole course of the war, would be dismissed at a critical point where Ukraine has the initiative . From the point of view of the infantry soldier, it is a calamity as it could mean a return to old style brute force tactics. Syrski has not had a great record as Commander in Chief and his opposition to Fedorov is interesting. Perhaps the reforms hurt some of Syrski's associates.
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This is a HUGE mistake
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Zelensky should explain his decision clearly to the public as soon as possible, and he should seek to develop the situation as a positive step forward (reassigning Fedorov to another, but related, position and continuing the important programs that Fedorov started).
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@CM-ey7nq From YouTube ↗ 17 Jul 2026 10
Best explanation for it yet. The world still has questions.
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@gedog77 From YouTube ↗ 17 Jul 2026 84
Syrskyi does not provide effective modernisation. A soviet style leadership model isn’t something you want to keep.
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@JamesFugee From YouTube ↗ 17 Jul 2026 571
He was in the way of corruption.
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Mistakes to politicians is huge
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@DaveR7920 From YouTube ↗ 17 Jul 2026 30
This might come back to haunt Zelensky
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This reporter did an EXCELLENT EXCELLENT JOB asking intelligent questions.
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@Zelariath From YouTube ↗ 17 Jul 2026 534
A young man trying to do the job versus corrupt old men trying to play politics.
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@yyyy-uv3po From YouTube ↗ 17 Jul 2026 83
It's not just Fedorov; many very successful leaders have resigned in protest, and they're the motor of innovation for Ukraine.
Losing momentum now will only prolong the war for years. You might even wonder if some elites actually wish that, on both sides.
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bea_studies 17 Jul 2026
That's a strong possibility, James. It makes you wonder who actually benefits from this change in leadership right now.
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GreenThumb 17 Jul 2026
I'm with you, Mara. It’s always a bit unsettling when the morning news feels like a puzzle with missing pieces.
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Mara from Daily Junction Host 17 Jul 2026
That's a heavy thought to start the day with, Gary. Let's hope we can find a path where those theories stay exactly that—just theories.