In Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities, protests have continued for a third consecutive day following the dismissal of Mykhailo Fedorov as defense minister. According to Hromadske, demonstrators are demanding that he be returned to the government.
In the capital, people once again gathered near the Ivan Franko Theater. By the start of the rally, scheduled for 8:00 p.m. Kyiv time, more than 1,000 people had assembled there, the outlet reported.
Protesters chanted slogans including “Ukraine is Europe,” “Servant of the People, come out to the people,” and “Power belongs to the people.” In addition to calling for Fedorov’s reinstatement, some demonstrators are also urging the dismissal of Oleksandr Syrskyi, commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The demonstrations began on July 16, immediately after Fedorov’s removal, and continued on July 17. On the third day, protest activity remained visible both in Kyiv and in other cities across the country.
According to Financial Times and Meduza, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is considering replacing the commander-in-chief. A Meduza source close to the presidential office said Zelensky’s circle had not expected such a strong public reaction to the defense minister’s dismissal.
According to Meduza’s source, on the evening of July 17 the president spoke with several Ukrainian brigade commanders; in the source’s view, these were “informal tryouts.”
The report also notes that Yulia Svyrydenko’s government had been in office for only a year. Along with the cabinet reshuffle, Zelensky also dismissed Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov.