Crowds gather in Kyiv to protest Fedorov's dismissal: What's happening?
Photo: Cardboard sign saying '9:00 am - pro-Fedorov rally; 11:00 am - daily meet' (facebook.com/MasiNayyem)
Hundreds of people gathered outside Kyiv's Ivan Franko National Theater on Wednesday to protest the dismissal of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. Demonstrators are calling on President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to reverse his decision and keep Fedorov in office.
What is happening
Journalists on the scene reported that several hundred protesters assembled in the square outside the theater, carrying cardboard signs reading "Bring Fedorov back", "Change or perish", and other slogans in support of the outgoing minister.
Protesters chanted:
- "Power is not a joke"
- "Shame"
- "We're watching everything"
- "Hands off"
The protest had been announced on social media the previous evening.
Photo: Pro-Fedorov protest in Kyiv following the defense minister's dismissal (facebook.com/MasiNayyem)
The Ivan Franko Theater is located near the Presidential Office, the site of last July's so-called "cardboard protest" in support of Ukraine's anti-corruption agencies, NABU and SAP. That demonstration was widely seen as influencing the government's subsequent decisions.
Why was Fedorov dismissed
Speculation about Fedorov's departure began on Sunday after Zelenskyy announced plans for a major Cabinet reshuffle. His dismissal was officially confirmed on Wednesday.
Zelenskyy said the decision followed a conflict between Fedorov and Ukraine's Commander-in-Chief, Oleksandr Syrskyi.
Parliament is expected to approve a new government on Thursday, including the appointment of Serhii Koretskyi as prime minister, along with new defense and foreign ministers.
According to current reports, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko is expected to replace Fedorov as defense minister.
Fedorov's reaction
In a farewell social media post, Fedorov highlighted his achievements in office while acknowledging several reforms he said remained unfinished.
Among the goals he said were not fully accomplished:
- Completing the Defense Ministry's organizational transformation in line with NATO standards;
- Moving all defense procurement to competitive tenders;
- Building a stronger culture of institutional accountability.
Fedorov thanked Ukraine's service members, his team, and his family for their support. He also said he would continue working toward the mission that brought him to the ministry: defeating the enemy through asymmetry, rapid innovation, and organizational strength.
