On Thursday, 16 July 2026, hundreds of protesters gathered in central Kyiv to rally against the dismissal of Defence Minister Fedorov by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The demonstrators marched behind banners reading "The army is the priority," with chants of "Shame" echoing through the streets. Among the crowd, a woman carrying a child held a placard stating, "I don't want to die."

Fedorov, 35, had served six months in the post and was recognized as a modernizer who promoted drone innovation and reforms credited with slowing Russia's advance into Ukraine. Zelenskyy’s decision came as part of a broader government reshuffle that also included the acceptance of Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko's resignation and the appointment of Serhii Koretskyi, former head of energy firm Naftogaz, as her successor.

No official reason was given for Fedorov's dismissal, though unconfirmed reports suggest tensions with armed forces commander Oleksandr Syrskyi. The reshuffle marks Ukraine's fourth since Russia's invasion in 2022.

In response to the dismissal, some officials, including a deputy air force commander, resigned in protest. Similar rallies were also held in the cities of Dnipro and Odesa.

Sources