KYIV, Thousands of Ukrainians marched through the streets of central Kyiv on Friday, intensifying public pressure on President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to reinstate former Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, whose unexpected dismissal has sparked widespread criticism and political debate.
The demonstration marked one of the largest public protests since the government reshuffle that removed Fedorov from office in mid-July.
Fedorov, who became defence minister in January 2026, was widely recognized for accelerating Ukraine’s military modernization and expanding the use of advanced technologies during the country’s ongoing war with Russia.
His removal came during a government reshuffle that offered little public explanation, prompting growing dissatisfaction among many Ukrainians.
Since his dismissal, demonstrators have gathered regularly near the Presidential Office, demanding that Fedorov be restored to his position after he reportedly declined another government appointment.
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On Friday, protesters marched through Kyiv’s historic center before converging on Khreshchatyk, the capital’s main boulevard, carrying banners calling for transparency and accountability.
Many participants questioned why such a significant decision had been made without a clear explanation from the government.
One protester, Oleksandr, an IT professional, said citizens deserved greater transparency.
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“I don’t like it when decisions are made and no one can explain why they were made,” he said.
Many demonstrators argued that Ukraine’s ability to defend itself depends on continued modernization of its military institutions.
Fedorov had been credited with promoting technological innovation, expanding drone capabilities, and supporting reforms aimed at improving the efficiency of Ukraine’s armed forces.
His dismissal came as Ukraine continued reporting gains on parts of the frontline while intensifying long-range strikes against Russian military and energy infrastructure.
President Zelenskyy initially stated that Fedorov’s removal followed disagreements with then Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, who was himself dismissed a week later following public criticism.
However, speculation has continued that Fedorov’s departure may have been linked to efforts to address alleged corruption within the defence sector.
In a recent interview, Fedorov appeared to suggest that anti-corruption initiatives played a role in the political developments, although he did not provide specific details.
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The president has since appointed Yevhenii Khmara, the acting head of Ukraine’s State Security Service, as acting defence minister. Under Ukrainian law, the defence minister must be a civilian.
Political analysts say the controversy cannot be resolved through personnel changes alone.
Matteo Mecacci, Director of the European Policy Institute in Kyiv, said restoring public confidence would require effective political leadership and transparent crisis management.
Meanwhile, protest organizer and military veteran Dmytro Koziatynskyi urged the government to give Fedorov sufficient time to implement defence reforms before evaluating his performance.
He argued that reform efforts should be judged by measurable results rather than political disagreements.
The demonstrations reflect growing public concern over military leadership and governance as Ukraine continues its prolonged conflict with Russia.
