Thousands Rally in Kyiv Over Zelenskyy's Dismissal of Defence Minister

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Kyiv: Thousands of Ukrainians marched through central Kyiv on Friday, urging President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to reinstate former Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, whose recent dismissal has sparked public criticism and raised concerns over the country's wartime leadership.

Protesters gathered near the presidential office before marching through the capital, calling on Zelenskyy to reverse his decision to remove Fedorov, who was widely credited with driving military innovation during Ukraine's war with Russia.

Fedorov was dismissed in a government reshuffle in mid-July after only a few months in office. Zelenskyy initially cited disagreements between Fedorov and the then commander-in-chief, Oleksandr Syrskyi, as the reason for the move. However, reports have suggested the dismissal may also have been linked to anti-corruption efforts within the defence sector.

Demonstrators questioned the decision, arguing that military modernisation remains vital as Ukraine continues its fight against Russia. Many said greater transparency was needed over the reasons behind Fedorov's removal.

Despite the protests, Zelenskyy has shown no indication that he will reverse the decision. He has appointed Yevhenii Khmara, the acting head of Ukraine's state security service, as acting defence minister.

Political analysts said the demonstrations reflect public concern over wartime governance and confidence in state institutions, with many Ukrainians viewing leadership decisions as directly affecting the country's defence effort.

Pic Credit: AFP