Protests in Kyiv Demand Reinstatement of Ousted Defence Minister

Protesters in Kyiv on Friday announced an indefinite rally to demand the reinstatement of ousted Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, escalating a government reshuffle into a political crisis for President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. The demonstrations follow a peak last week when thousands took to the streets, according to a Reuters report.

Political Backlash

Hundreds of demonstrators gathered outside the presidential office on Friday, chanting, "We stood, we stand, and we will stand." Protest organizer Dmytro Koziatynskyi, a military veteran, told Reuters that participants are prepared to continue the rally "as long as it takes" to see Fedorov reappointed.

The public outcry centers on the dismissal of the 35-year-old minister, who is widely credited with implementing crucial technology-driven reforms and tackling corruption within the defence sector during his six months in office. Protesters carried signs with messages such as "Bring Fedorov back" and "Let the manager manage."

A Contentious Reshuffle

The crisis began after a government shake-up that also saw the replacement of commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, who some critics accused of stalling army modernization. President Zelenskiy cited an "irreparable conflict" between Fedorov and Syrskyi as the reason for the defence minister's dismissal.

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Fedorov subsequently rejected an offer of several other roles, including vice prime minister for defence innovation. He publicly stated that the proposed positions lacked the necessary authority to continue implementing reforms. "We don’t need Fedorov just as a figurehead. We need Fedorov as a young reformer," Koziatynskyi told Reuters.

Wartime Uncertainty

The leadership turmoil comes at a critical time, as Ukrainian forces are engaged in intense fighting, conducting strikes deep inside Russian territory while defending against Russia's ongoing air and ground assaults. One protester, Anna, told Reuters the dismissal felt like a "stolen result."

President Zelenskiy has not yet submitted a formal nominee to parliament to replace Fedorov. Yevhenii Khmara, formerly of Ukraine's domestic security service, has been appointed as the acting defence minister. This has raised concerns about a potential leadership vacuum and delays in critical reforms. "We don’t have an extra six months to put together a new team... or for the new minister to get to grips with old issues," Anna said.