Category: Photoreports

Thousands Rally Across Ukraine to Keep Mykhailo Fedorov as Defense Minister

More than a thousand people gathered in Kyiv’s Ivan Franko Square on July 16 to protest the dismissal of Mykhailo Fedorov as Ukraine’s Defense Minister.

Jul 16, 2026 14:39 Updated Jul 16, 2026 15:03

4 min read

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Authors: Mykyta Shandyba
Photojournalist

At 9:00 a.m., the Ukrainian people stood in silence to honor their fallen defenders. As the nationwide minute of silence ended at 9:01, the protest began.

Holding handmade cardboard signs reading “Bring Fedorov Back” and chanting “The People Are the Government” and “Don’t Fix What’s Working,” the crowd brought together young Ukrainians, veterans, musicians, civil society activists, journalists, and media workers. Our editorial team joined the protesters in Kyiv and documented the demonstration in the photographs below.

An aerial view shows thousands gathered in Kyiv’s Ivan Franko Square, where demonstrators called for Mykhailo Fedorov to remain defense minister during nationwide protests over the government’s cabinet reshuffle. Photo: Mykyta Shandyba/UNITED24 Media

The demonstrations were not limited to Kyiv. Similar rallies, drawing anywhere from a few dozen to several hundred participants, took place in Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, Ternopil, Uzhhorod, Lutsk, Rivne, Khmelnytskyi, Vinnytsia, Dnipro, Zhytomyr, Odesa, Mykolaiv, Cherkasy, and Zaporizhzhia

Protesters fill the streets outside the Office of the President in central Kyiv on July 16, holding handmade signs in support of Mykhailo Fedorov following his resignation as Ukraine’s defense minister. Photo: Mykyta Shandyba/UNITED24 Media

“Removing Fedorov is killing Ukraine,” one protester said.

“For six months everything was working great. There was clear progress and positive momentum. Now we’re just getting rid of it all. Why?” another protester said.

“We must move forward with reforms and the optimization of the armed forces,” a protester said.

“My husband serves in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and that’s why I am here,” another protester said. “Halting reforms that were just gaining momentum is an absolute crime.”

A protester writes a message on a handmade cardboard sign before the demonstration outside the Office of the President in Kyiv, where thousands gathered to oppose Mykhailo Fedorov’s removal as defense minister. Photo: Mykyta Shandyba/UNITED24 Media

A demonstrator holds a sign reading “For Fedorov” as protesters gather in Kyiv’s Ivan Franko Square, calling for Mykhailo Fedorov to remain Ukraine’s defense minister during the government’s cabinet reshuffle. Photo: Mykyta Shandyba/UNITED24 Media

A protester waves a European Union flag as demonstrators applaud outside the Office of the President in Kyiv during a rally supporting Mykhailo Fedorov amid the government’s cabinet reshuffle. Photo: Mykyta Shandyba/UNITED24 Media

A speaker addresses the crowd through a megaphone as hundreds of protesters gather outside the Office of the President, calling for Mykhailo Fedorov to remain Ukraine’s defense minister. Photo: Mykyta Shandyba/UNITED24 Media

Public figures, veterans, civil society activists, and young Ukrainians joined the demonstration outside the Office of the President in Kyiv in support of Mykhailo Fedorov. Photo: Mykyta Shandyba/UNITED24 Media

Protesters raise handmade signs as they march through central Kyiv, voicing opposition to Mykhailo Fedorov’s dismissal during the government’s cabinet reshuffle. Photo: Mykyta Shandyba/UNITED24 Media

A demonstrator holds a handmade sign reading “There Is No Logic to This” during a protest outside the Office of the President in Kyiv against the removal of Mykhailo Fedorov as defense minister. Photo: Mykyta Shandyba/UNITED24 Media

A Ukrainian flag bearing the UNITED24 Media logo waves above the demonstration, where members of the outlet’s editorial team joined thousands protesting outside the Office of the President in Kyiv. Photo: Mykyta Shandyba/UNITED24 Media

The protests came as Ukraine’s parliament prepared to vote on a new prime minister and cabinet following a government reshuffle announced by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. On July 15, it was announced that Fedorov would leave his post as defense minister, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy planning to nominate Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko as his replacement.

Reflecting on his service, Fedorov highlighted a series of key initiatives completed by his team during his time in office: successfully disconnecting Russia’s access to Starlink terminals, coordinating a “Logistics Lockdown” campaign against Russia, and launching procurement reforms.

For many protesters, the rally was about more than one minister. It was driven by concerns that Fedorov’s dismissal could derail the military reforms launched during his tenure. Supporters praised his focus on innovation, battlefield technology, and modernization, arguing that his leadership had earned the trust of both soldiers and civil society.

Speaking at a press briefing on July 16, Fedorov said Zelenskyy could still reconsider his decision on the leadership of the Defense Ministry and expressed confidence that “the situation will be put right.”

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