Protests in Ukraine against defense minister's dismissal continue for third day
For the third consecutive day, protests are underway in Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities against President Volodymyr Zelensky's decision to dismiss Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. Some demonstrators are also calling for the dismissal of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Oleksandr Syrsky.
On Friday, demonstrations continued for the third day in Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities as people expressed dissatisfaction with President Volodymyr Zelensky's decision to dismiss Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. According to the Ukrinform news agency, many protesters are also demanding the removal of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Oleksandr Syrsky.
This week, Zelensky implemented changes in the government, dismissing not only Fedorov but also Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko. Fedorov had served as defense minister for only half a year and had disagreements with Syrsky. The president decided to support Syrsky and nominated Yevhen Hmara, the acting head of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), as the new defense minister.
Since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, this marks the fourth change of defense minister in Ukraine.
/nginx/o/2026/01/05/17373234t1h49a4.jpg)