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{{Cquote|[A]s Power Point slides were shown to the [[testosterone]]-filled room, the generals griped about [[missile]] and [[ammunition]] procurement. The focus of their criticism, Mykhailo Fedorov, the 35-year-old tech-savvy defence minister who is known—and occasionally mocked—for his [[Silicon Valley]] style presentations, responded in kind. If it wasn’t for his emergency [[drone]]-purchasing decisions at the beginning of the year, which required borrowing [[money]] earmarked for salaries, there would be no [[Crimea]]n operation to speak of. A witness to the proceedings describes “two different co-ordinate systems” in a clinch: “No common language, even if holding back from direct conflict.”

{{Cquote|[A]s Power Point slides were shown to the [[testosterone]]-filled room, the generals griped about [[missile]] and [[ammunition]] procurement. The focus of their criticism, Mykhailo Fedorov, the 35-year-old tech-savvy defence minister who is known—and occasionally mocked—for his [[Silicon Valley]] style presentations, responded in kind. If it wasn’t for his emergency [[drone]]-purchasing decisions at the beginning of the year, which required borrowing [[money]] earmarked for salaries, there would be no [[Crimea]]n operation to speak of. A witness to the proceedings describes “two different co-ordinate systems” in a clinch: “No common language, even if holding back from direct conflict.”

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His first six months in the job were characterised by hyperactivity and a pugnacity that put many noses out of joint. From the start, he ordered an [[audit]] of the defence ministry and [[army]] brigades that uncovered overspending of 300bn-hyrivna ($6.6bn). He subjected ministry officials to [[lie detector]]s; those who refused or failed were dismissed. And he moved some procurement to an open-tender system, which he says cut the cost of 155mm artillery shells by 16% almost immediately. At the same time his deep differences with the more [[tradition]]alist [[military]] leaders, especially its [[commander-in-chief]], [[Oleksandr Syrsky]], have rarely been far from view. It is widely known the minister angled for the general’s removal, but failed to win the president’s approval or find another way of doing it.}}

His first six months in the job were characterised by hyperactivity and a pugnacity that put many noses out of joint. From the start, he ordered an [[audit]] of the defence ministry and [[army]] brigades that uncovered overspending of 300bn-hyrivna ($6.6bn). He subjected ministry officials to lie detectors; those who refused or failed were dismissed. And he moved some procurement to an open-tender system, which he says cut the cost of 155mm artillery shells by 16% almost immediately. At the same time his deep differences with the more [[tradition]]alist [[military]] leaders, especially its [[commander-in-chief]], [[Oleksandr Syrsky]], have rarely been far from view. It is widely known the minister angled for the general’s removal, but failed to win the president’s approval or find another way of doing it.}}

Meanwhile the core job Fedorov was hired to do, the reform of the [[TCC|recruiting system]], has made zero progress. Public attacks on [[TCC|recruitment officers]] and news of [[draft]]ees dying during the drafting process appear nearly daily.

Meanwhile the core job Fedorov was hired to do, the reform of the [[TCC|recruiting system]], has made zero progress. Public attacks on [[TCC|recruitment officers]] and news of [[draft]]ees dying during the drafting process appear nearly daily.

Fedorov had gained some prominence with [[MSM|western journalist]] and ‘grant structures’ aligned with [[EU]] and [[U.S.]] [[NGO|non-government organizations]]. As soon as it was known that he would be fired they called for demonstrations. A few dozen people turned out for another ‘cardboard [[Maidan]]’.

Fedorov had gained some prominence with [[MSM|western journalist]] and ‘grant structures’ aligned with [[EU]] and [[U.S.]] [[NGO|non-government organizations]]. As soon as it was known that he would be fired they called for demonstrations. A few dozen people turned out for another ‘cardboard [[Maidan]]’.

Immediately recruitment officers appeared to check who of those protesters were eligible for [[military]] service.

Immediately recruitment officers appeared to check who of those protesters were eligible for [[military]] service.<ref>https://x.com/AMK_Mapping_/status/2077648345133449680</ref>

Fedorov made the big mistake to think that the [[war]] should be about winning against [[Russia]]. But, as former Commander in Chief [[Valleri Zalazhny]] again warned, it is not Russia which is losing the war.

Fedorov made the big mistake to think that the [[war]] should be about winning against [[Russia]]. But, as former Commander in Chief [[Valleri Zalazhny]] again warned, it is not Russia which is losing the war.