Protests Supporting Former Defense Minister Fedorov Continue Across Ukraine for Sixth Day

Protests against the removal of former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov have entered their sixth day across Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities.

Demonstrations took place in major urban centers, including Kyiv, Ivano-Frankivsk, Dnipro, Uzhhorod, Odesa and Lviv. By 7:30 PM in Kyiv, several hundred people gathered in the square near the Franko Theater, according to Suspilne News on July 21.

In Ivano-Frankivsk, around 50 people gathered near the regional administration building on Hrushevskoho Street starting at 7:00 PM. Demonstrators held signs urging officials to reinstate Fedorov and calling for the dismissal of Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi.

One demonstrator shared her reasons for attending the rally: "Every soldier’s life matters. That is someone's son, mother, or daughter. That is why I support Fedorov, because he values the lives of military personnel."

In Dnipro, the rally opened with a minute of silence and the national anthem. Gathering behind a large Ukrainian flag, participants chanted: "Out with Syrskyi," "Soldiers are not disposable," "Parliament to work tomorrow," and "If the army stands, we stand."

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Demonstrators are demanding the public disclosure of the reasons behind the resignation of former Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko and her cabinet. They are also calling for the appointment of Mykhailo Fedorov as defense minister, an independent audit of Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, and his subsequent replacement.

The demonstrations began on July 16 after Fedorov confirmed that he would leave the Defense Ministry following Zelenskyy’s government reshuffle.

Fedorov later publicly confirmed reports of a dispute with Syrskyi, saying that he had proposed replacing the commander-in-chief and Chief of the General Staff Andrii Hnatov. According to Fedorov, Syrskyi responded by issuing an ultimatum and “came up with a way to divide the country.”

On July 18, the president said he had held separate conversations with Fedorov and Syrskyi and promised that decisions concerning the military would be developed. “We are preparing decisions for the army,” Zelenskyy said following the meetings.

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