Ukrainians protest for second day demanding return of ousted defense minister Fedorov
Residents of several Ukrainian cities took to the streets again on Friday to protest the dismissal of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. In Kyiv, at least 10,000 people gathered.
Protests have continued for a second day in Ukraine following the dismissal of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. According to Ukrainian news outlets Ukrainska Pravda and public broadcaster Suspilne, demonstrations occurred in Kyiv, Lviv, Odesa, Dnipro, Ternopil, Poltava, Kharkiv, Mykolaiv, Ivano-Frankivsk, and other cities.
In Kyiv, crowds once again gathered at Franko Square near the President's Office building. Demonstrators chanted “Bring back Fedorov!”, “Down with Syrskyi!”, “Glory to Ukraine!”, and “Death to our enemies!” while singing the national anthem.
According to Interfax-Ukraine, at least 10,000 people took part in the Kyiv demonstration. The outlet's correspondent reported that protesters filled the square—including the park and roadway—as well as sections of adjacent Olhinska, Hrushevskoho, and Stupky streets.
Protests began on July 16, immediately after Fedorov's dismissal. In Kyiv, demonstrators chanted “Bring back Fedorov!”, “Shame!”, and “Syrskyi must resign!” Colonel Pavlo Yelizarov also submitted his resignation as deputy commander of the Ukrainian Air Force, directly linking his decision to Fedorov's dismissal, which he called “a great evil for the country's defense potential.”
