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Life in Ukraine

Protests Demanding Fedorov’s Return as Defense Minister Enter Ninth Day

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Photo of Katherina Popilnichenko
Katherina Popilnichenko
News Writer
Demonstrators holding a large Ukrainian flag during a rally on July 24, 2026. (Source: Social media)
Demonstrators holding a large Ukrainian flag during a rally on July 24, 2026. (Source: Social media)

Protests demanding the reinstatement of Mykhailo Fedorov as Minister of Defense entered their ninth day on July 24 across Kyiv and several regions.

Around 500 people assembled in the capital, calling for Fedorov to be restored to his former position as the head of the defense ministry, according to Suspilne News.

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Demonstrations were also recorded in Ivano-Frankivsk, Lviv, Lutsk, Cherkasy, Uzhhorod, Rivne, and Poltava.

Protesters demanded Fedorov's reinstatement and requested the removal of Vitalii Kim from the Ministry of Veterans Affairs, stating that the position should be held by a veteran.

Cardboard protest signs placed on the grass demanding the reinstatement of Mykhailo Fedorov as Minister of Defense, July 24, 2026. (Source: Social media)
Cardboard protest signs placed on the grass demanding the reinstatement of Mykhailo Fedorov as Minister of Defense, July 24, 2026. (Source: Social media)

Participants indicated they would demonstrate again if Volodymyr Zelenskyy did not respond to their demands.

On July 21, 2026, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy officially dismissed Oleksandr Syrskyi as Commander-in-Chief of Ukraine's Armed Forces following widespread public demonstrations demanding leadership changes, appointing Mykhailo Drapatyi to the position.

Demonstrators during a rally on July 24, 2026. (Source: Social media)
Demonstrators during a rally on July 24, 2026. (Source: Social media)

On July 23, 2026, former Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov stated that he would accept only the position of Minister of Defense.

He argued that no other role carried the necessary authority to combat procurement corruption, complete army transformation, and execute asymmetric operations during Russia’s full-scale invasion.

While expressing gratitude to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for offering alternative roles—including Deputy Prime Minister for Military Innovation—Fedorov declined them, emphasizing that his decision was about maintaining a real impact on the outcome of the war rather than holding a title.

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