Protests break out in Ukraine over Zelensky's dismissal of Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov

Ukrainian cities witnessed large protests on July 16 after President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the dismissal of Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. The move came just six months after Fedorov was appointed, and it sparked widespread opposition in Kyiv, Kharkiv, Odesa and other major centres. Demonstrators accused the president of undermining a minister who had been credited with modernising the Ukrainian armed forces and implementing reforms that were seen as vital in the context of the ongoing Russian invasion.

Fedorov’s tenure had been marked by efforts to overhaul procurement processes, improve training standards and strengthen the military’s operational readiness. His removal was viewed by many as a setback to the hard‑won progress in the defence sector. Emmanuelle Chaze of France 24 reported from one of the rallies, noting the intensity of the crowds and the chants demanding a reversal of the decision. The protest underscored the tension between the executive’s strategic choices and the public’s expectations for a resilient defence apparatus.