Protests in Ukraine after the dismissal of Defence Minister Fedorov

Kyiv – 19 July 2026: Following the dismissal of Ukrainian Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, protests against personnel changes in President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s cabinet are continuing. In recent days, hundreds of people have again gathered near the Office of the President in Kyiv. Rallies in other cities have also been reported. Demonstrators are primarily demanding the reinstatement of the popular minister and the continuation of reforms in the defence ministry.

Zelenskyy removed Fedorov from office on 15 July as part of major changes in the government. At the same time, the government leadership also changed. The Ministry of Defence is temporarily headed by acting officials, while the search for a permanent successor is creating political difficulties. According to reports, members of the Verkhovna Rada are reluctant to confirm a new defence minister as long as the reasons for the personnel change remain unclear.

Fedorov had held the post of defence minister only since January 2026. Before that, as minister of digital transformation, he shaped the development of state digital services. At the Ministry of Defence, his name was associated with expanding domestic drone production, greater involvement of private defence companies, and new procurement mechanisms for the Armed Forces. This modernisation earned him support among parts of the military, volunteer initiatives, and civil society.

At the centre of the dispute is apparently a fundamental conflict over the conduct of the war. Fedorov and his supporters rely on technologically supported, decentralised capabilities: drones, electronic warfare, automated procurement, and rapid adaptation to changes at the front. By contrast, the military leadership headed by Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi represents an army with a more hierarchical command system. These two approaches are not necessarily mutually exclusive, but the personnel change has made the confrontation visible.

Zelenskyy defended the personnel changes by referring to the need to prepare the state leadership for the next phase of the war and a difficult winter. Russia continues its attacks, while Kyiv must simultaneously ensure troop supplies, air defence, and economic stability. Under precisely such conditions, the question of whether a change at the head of the defence ministry will strengthen the ability to act or interrupt important reforms is particularly important.

Politically, this development is unusual, as public protests are rare in a country under martial law. As recently as July 2025, Zelenskyy was forced to withdraw a planned restriction on the independence of anti-corruption bodies following demonstrations. The current rallies therefore do not signify an immediate change of power, but they point to the limits of the resilience of the Ukrainian consensus. The decisive factor will be whether Zelenskyy can resolve the conflict institutionally while preserving trust in the military leadership.