President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov while retaining Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, triggering widespread protests in Kyiv starting July 17. Thousands of demonstrators demanded Syrskyi's removal as well.
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Ukrainians gathered in Kyiv and other cities on July 17 for a second straight day to protest President Volodymyr Zelensky's decision to dismiss Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov while retaining Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi. The renewed demonstrations came after Zelensky said following the first day of protests on July 16 that he "understands, hears, and responds" to public concerns. Protes
"Fedorov = more Russian deaths, Syrskyi = more Ukrainian deaths." This slogan, neatly written on cardboard, was one of thousands held aloft in Kyiv and across Ukraine as outrage over the country's wartime leadership boils over. Much of Ukrainian society, soldiers and civilians alike, is up in arms over President Volodymyr Zelensky's decision to dismiss popular and innovative Defense Minister Mykha
Another protest over President Volodymyr Zelensky's decision to dismiss Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov while keeping Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi in office is scheduled to take place in Kyiv on July 20. One of the protest's organizers, veteran Dmytro Koziatynskyi, told the Kyiv Independent the movement now has two clear demands: reinstating Fedorov as defense minister and removing Syrsk
Latest: Zelensky dismisses Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi amid widespread protests. Thousands of protesters gathered nightly in central Kyiv in recent days, many of them calling out the name of one of Ukraine's most respected generals: "Drapatyi!" The mass protest in the capital, which began on July 15 after President Volodymyr Zelensky ousted Ukraine's popular, reform-minded Defense Minister Mykhailo
His remarks come days after President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed Mykhailo Fedorov as defense minister, a move that triggered public backlash and protests in Kyiv.
President Volodymyr Zelensky and former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov remain locked in a political standoff, with neither side willing to compromise as protests over the minister's dismissal pause for three days, people familiar with the matter told the Kyiv Independent. Days after thousands of people rallied against Fedorov's dismissal, both camps remain committed to their maximalist position
President Zelensky: Mykhailo Drapaty will replace Oleksandr Syrsky as the new Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine https://liveuamap.com/en/2026/21-july-19-president-zelensky-mykhailo-drapaty-will-replace
President Volodymyr Zelensky on July 21 dismissed the Commander-in-Chief of Ukraine's Armed Forces, Oleksandr Syrskyi, appointing Joint Forces Commander Mykhailo Drapatyi as his replacement. The move comes amid ongoing mass protests in Kyiv and across Ukraine, in which demonstrators have demanded that Syrskyi be removed from his post. Zelensky thanked Syrskyi for his service, praising his role in
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday fired Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi as commander-in-chief of Ukraine's armed forces and named his replacement, following days of mass protests in Kyiv, the country's capital, and other cities nationwide demanding his removal.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has dismissed his Soviet-trained army chief Oleksandr Syrsky following a political crisis triggered by the removal of a popular, young and tech-savvy defence minister.
The dismissal of Gen. Oleksandr Syrsky came days after the Ukrainian president fired Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov.
The EU is set to tie billions of euros in financial support to Kyiv's ability to complete the so-called Kachka-Kos plan for rule-of-law reforms, after months of inertia in Ukraine's parliament and a recent government reshuffle interpreted by some as another attempt to avoid making those changes. President Volodymyr Zelensky decided on July 12 to reshuffle the country's government, a controversial
Editor's note: The full names of some service members quoted in this story have not been disclosed for security reasons. Major General Mykhailo Drapatyi took over as Ukraine's commander-in-chief on July 21 after President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed Oleksandr Syrskyi, elevating one of the military's most battle-tested commanders to its top post. "Drapatyi commands tremendous respect within the Uk
The comment comes a day after President Volodymyr Zelensky announced Drapatyi's appointment as he faced pressure from mass protests in Kyiv and across the country to dismiss former Commander-in-Chief, Oleksandr Syrskyi.
Campaigners in Ukraine pledge to continue nationwide protests until Mykhailo Fedorov gets his job back Volodymyr Zelenskyy was under growing pressure to reinstate his sacked defence minister on Wednesday, after campaigners said they would continue indefinite nationwide protests until Mykhailo Fedorov got his job back. On Tuesday, Zelenskyy bowed to public demands by firing Ukraine’s commander-in-c
President Volodymyr Zelensky replaced Ukraine’s commander-in-chief, Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi, with 43-year-old Maj. Gen. Mykhailo Drapatyi following days of protests over the removal of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, whose supporters demanded Fedorov’s reinstatement and Syrskyi’s dismissal [bbc.co.uk#1][npr.org#1][theguardian.com#1][cbsnews.com#1][france24.com#1]. The shake-up followed a dispute
"I'm grateful to the president for all the options offered. However, today there are only three positions in the country that, alongside the troops on the battlefield, actually shape the course of the war: the President of Ukraine, the defense minister, and the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine," Mykhailo Fedorov said.
❗️Mykhailo Fedorov said he is grateful for President Volodymyr Zelensky’s offers but will accept no government role other than defense minister. He said only three positions directly shape the war beyond the battlefield: president, defense minister, and commander-in-chief. Fedorov argued that only the defense ministry gives him the authority to fight procurement corruption, complete military refor
Ukraine’s popular former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov rejected all jobs offered to him by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, saying he would only accept reinstatement to his old position, a move that could breathe new fire into nationwide protests backing him.
KYIV INDEPENDENT: Fedorov turns down Zelensky's offers, seeks return only as defense minister https:// kyivindependent.com/fedorov-tu rns-down-zelenskys-offers-seeks-return-only-as-defense-minister/ "I'm grateful to the president for all the options offered. However, today there are only three positions in the country that, alongside the troops on the battlefield, actually shape the course of the
theconversation.com/ukraine-war-... Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky, has just dismissed both his defence minister and commander-in-chief.
President Volodymyr Zelensky received briefings from Commander-in-Chief Mykhailo Drapatyi, Defense Minister Yevhen Khmara, and Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Pavlo Palisa. They discussed the frontline, responses to Russian attacks, and accelerating support for corps commanders. # Ukraine
Syrskyi and Hnatov to serve as advisers after leadership changes in Ukrainian armed forces Former Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces Oleksandr Syrskyi and former Chief of the General Staff Andriy Hnatov will continue working alongside the new Commander-in-Chief, ... Former Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces Oleksandr Syrskyi and former Chief of the General Staff Andriy
Ukrainians in Prague protest and demand return of Mykhailo Fedorov as defense minister ->Mezha | More on "Ukrainians Prague demand defense minister" at BigEarthData.ai | #RussiaUkraineWar #StandWithUkraine #Protest In Prague, several dozen Ukrainians gathered outside the Embassy of Ukraine, voicing a demand to return Mykhailo Fedorov to the post of Minister of Defense of Ukraine and to appoint a v
Now in their 9th consecutive day, protests continue in Odesa, Kyiv, and across Ukraine. Demonstrators are taking to the streets to oppose the dismissal of former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov t.me/Kyivpost_off... Now in their 9th consecutive day, protests continue in Odesa, Kyiv, and across Ukraine. Demonstrators are taking to the streets to oppose the dismissal of former Defense Minister Mykh
President Volodymyr Zelensky appears to have miscalculated. By dismissing the widely popular Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, he created two problems at once: he triggered a political crisis that continues to spill onto the streets, and transformed a loyal ally into a political opponent whose popularity now rivals his own. Public opinion has overwhelmingly rejected Zelensky's decision to oust Fe
KYIV INDEPENDENT: How Zelensky made a rival https:// kyivindependent.com/how-zelens ky-made-a-rival/ President Volodymyr Zelensky appears to have miscalculated.By dismissing the widely popular Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, he created two problems at once: he triggered a political crisis that continues to spill onto the streets, and transformed a loyal ally into a political opponent whose popu
How Zelensky created a rival ->The Kyiv Independent | More info at BigEarthData.ai | #Zelensky #StandWithUkraine #RussiaUkraineWar President Volodymyr Zelensky appears to have miscalculated. By dismissing the widely popular Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, he created two problems at once: he triggered a political crisis that continues to spill onto the streets, and transformed a loyal ally into
KYIV POST: Zelensky Won’t Bring Fedorov Back Despite Protests, Insiders Say https://www. kyivpost.com/post/81219 Zelensky is reportedly unwilling to reinstate former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov despite continuing “cardboard protests.” Organizers are considering a march in Kyiv on Friday, while presidential insiders expect the demonstrations to eventually lose momentum. # Ukraine
KYIV POST: Former Defense Minister Fedorov Says Powerful Interests Resisted Reforms That Led to His Dismissal https://www. kyivpost.com/post/81359 Former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov says he is ready to return to the job, claiming procurement reforms angered powerful interests and contributed to his ouster. He also denied a personal feud with former military chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, describin