Protest in Kyiv against the resignation of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov (Photo: NV)
Thousands of Ukrainians took to the streets in Kyiv and regional capitals for a second consecutive day on July 17, demanding that Mykhailo Fedorov be reinstated as defense minister and Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi be dismissed, Hromadske reported.
The rally in Kyiv was held at Franko Square, where protesters began gathering in the afternoon.
More than 5,000 people attended the demonstration in the capital, an NV correspondent reported.
The protests began on the morning of July 16, when Ukrainians rallied against Fedorov’s dismissal as defense minister. Demonstrators on July 17 also increasingly called for Syrskyi’s removal.
Franko Square was packed, with crowds stretching along nearby streets toward Maidan Nezalezhnosti and Khreshchatyk.
The rally was the largest protest in Ukraine since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, according to preliminary NV estimates.
Protesters chanted “Syrskyi out,” “Syrskyi is the devil,” “Shame,” “One united Ukraine,” “Fedorov,” “We stood, we stand and we will keep standing,” and “Lawmakers, get back to work.”
Participants carried cardboard signs reading: “Exchange prisoners, not what works,” “Is this really progress, not decline?” “I want to see Russia burn — keep Fedorov as defense minister,” and “Syrskyi out.”
Protests were held beyond the capital. Demonstrations continued for a second day in Kharkiv, Mykolaiv, Ternopil, Chernivtsi and Lutsk, Ukrinform reported.
Protesters in Ternopil carried Ukrainian flags and cardboard signs reading: “9 a.m. is the time to remember, 9:01 a.m. is the time for the future,” “Exchange prisoners, not Fedorov,” “Syrskyi out,” and “Innovation protects soldiers.”
Demonstrators gathered outside Mykolaiv City Hall with signs reading: “Bring Fedorov back,” “It is time for systemic change,” “Unmanned ground vehicles or assaults?” and “Free prisoners, not Fedorov.”
“Removing such a powerful figure as Minister Fedorov is an anti-state decision,” Serhii, a veteran of the Russia-Ukraine war who attended the rally, said. “He represents the introduction of technology and the development of drone systems. Replacing him is like trading an airplane for a handcart.”
“Yevhen Khmara, who was appointed acting defense minister, is a good specialist, but he is not of the same caliber,” Serhii added.
Fedorov’s work also saved significant amounts of public money over a short period, and he had strong prospects for further progress in that area, the veteran said.
The protesters’ demands in Lutsk included the swift appointment of a defense minister, parliament’s return from recess, the preservation of reforms and innovation in the military, and greater accountability from the Armed Forces commander-in-chief, Suspilne Lutsk reported.
Mykhailo Fedorov’s dismissal as defense minister: What is known
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on July 15 that he had not yet decided whether Fedorov would remain defense minister in the new Cabinet after Yuliia Svyrydenko stepped down as prime minister.
Former Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko was later considered for the Defense Ministry post. Klymenko declined the position, lawmaker Yaroslav Zhelezniak subsequently said.
Zelenskyy announced on July 17 that Klymenko would become secretary of the National Security and Defense Council.
Fedorov faced fierce resistance from Ukraine’s military leadership over his reforms despite his success in developing drone technology and digitizing the military, The Economist reported.
Zelenskyy decided to dismiss Fedorov because of his conflict with Syrskyi, Ukrainska Pravda reported on July 16, citing sources.
Fedorov later confirmed the conflict. Syrskyi blocked all his initiatives and was unwilling to discuss problems but was “ready to weave intrigues,” Fedorov said.
Zelenskyy announced on the evening of July 16 that Khmara would serve as acting defense minister.
Khmara previously headed the Security Service of Ukraine’s Alpha Special Operations Center, which has achieved some of the highest results in eliminating Russian troops, Zelenskyy said.
“He knows exactly what Ukraine needs and can also oversee the internal situation within the components of the Defense Forces,” Zelenskyy said. “He has enough security experience to prevent things that should make us ashamed.”
Zelenskyy and Fedorov are interested in continuing to work together as part of the same team, presidential communications adviser Dmytro Lytvyn said on July 17.
Ukraine’s new Cabinet appointed Khmara as acting defense minister on July 17. He had previously served as acting head of the SBU. The government also appointed Andrii Sybiha as acting foreign minister.
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