Peaceful rallies opposing Mykhailo Fedorov’s dismissal as Ukraine’s defense minister were held in Kyiv and several other Ukrainian cities on July 25 for the tenth time. Participants demanded that Fedorov and his team be returned to the Defense Ministry and also criticized the appointment of Vitalii Kim as veterans affairs minister.
The demonstrations were covered in a report by Suspilne.
More than 500 people gather in Kyiv
In the capital, participants began gathering at 7 p.m. in the square near the Ivan Franko National Academic Drama Theater. Fewer than 100 people initially attended, but the crowd later grew to more than 500, according to the outlet’s correspondent.
Protesters chanted slogans supporting Fedorov and the new Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Mykhailo Drapatyi. They also urged lawmakers to return to work and argued that defense-sector personnel decisions during wartime should not be made without a public response.
Participants said they associated Fedorov with continued reforms at the Defense Ministry, technological development, anti-corruption efforts and changes to the mobilization system. They pledged to continue protesting until the authorities responded to their demands.
Rallies held across the regions
In Mykolaiv, protesters also demanded Fedorov’s return as defense minister and said his team should have been given more time to implement reforms. Participants separately opposed the appointment of former Mykolaiv regional governor Vitalii Kim as veterans affairs minister, arguing that the position should be held by someone with relevant experience.
In Dnipro, demonstrators said they considered Fedorov’s dismissal unjustified and were prepared to continue protesting until the decision was reconsidered.
In Lviv, the protest was declared indefinite. Participants plan to gather daily on Svobody Avenue and are demanding that the president submit candidates for defense minister, foreign minister and Security Service chief to the Verkhovna Rada, and that parliament consider the nominations.
In Kharkiv, protesters displayed a new slogan: “We have one Mykhailo — now we need the second.” Participants said they were referring to a tandem of Mykhailo Fedorov and Mykhailo Drapatyi.
Similar demonstrations were also held on July 25 in Cherkasy, Khmelnytskyi, Ivano-Frankivsk and Uzhhorod.
Background to the protests
On July 15, Fedorov confirmed that he was leaving the post of defense minister. Daily demonstrations demanding his return to the ministry subsequently began in Kyiv and other cities.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy later said he had offered Fedorov another government position connected with military innovation and technology. On July 16, Yevhenii Khmara was tasked with serving as acting defense minister.
