Key facts
- Ukrainians have protested for three consecutive days following the dismissal of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov.
- Protesters are demanding the reinstatement of Fedorov and the firing of Commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrskyi.
- Fedorov was dismissed on July 15 after six months in office.
- Dmytro Koziatynskyi, a protest leader, alleges intimidation from individuals close to Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi.
- Yevhen Khmara was appointed acting defense minister on July 17.
- Concerns have been raised about Oleksandr Poklad's appointment as acting SBU chief.
Thousands of Ukrainians have protested for three consecutive days against President Volodymyr Zelensky's dismissal of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. The demonstrations reflect public outrage over the firing of the popular minister after only six months in office.
Protesters are demanding Fedorov's reinstatement and the dismissal of Commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, with reports suggesting the dismissal stemmed from tensions between the two. Dmytro Koziatynskyi, a former combat medic and leading protest figure, claims individuals close to Syrskyi are attempting to intimidate him to halt the protests. His former commander, Alina Mykhailova, stated that military representatives sought information about Koziatynskyi, who has been a civilian for over a year.
The head of the Unmanned Systems Forces Command, Robert Brovdi, has pledged to investigate these claims. Meanwhile, serviceman Serhiy Gnezdilov alleged that elements loyal to Syrskyi are pressuring military personnel who supported Fedorov, with some reportedly facing issues after attending rallies. Mykhailova asserted that the Ukrainian military, as citizens defending freedom, retain the right to express their views.
President Zelensky nominated Yevhen Khmara, head of the SBU's Alpha Special Operations Center, as acting defense minister on July 17. Concerns have been raised by civil society groups, including the Anti-Corruption Action Center, regarding the appointment of Khmara's senior deputy, Oleksandr Poklad, as acting chief of the SBU.