Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s removal of two top defence officials highlights the role of morale in long wars

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently made the controversial decision to dismiss Mykhailo Fedorov, his minister of defense. Fedorov, admired both by Ukrainian troops and western allies, was at the forefront of Ukraine’s increasing technological innovations in the war against Russia. According to Fedorov, however, tension began to emerge over his own desire to replace Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi, the commander-in-chief of Ukraine’s armed forces. Widespread protests over Syrskyi’s role in…