Protests over Ukrainian defense minister Fedorov's resignation enter third day in Kyiv
People at the all-Ukrainian protest in Ternopil city (photo: RBC-Ukraine)
On Saturday, July 18, protests continued in Kyiv and other cities over the resignation of Mykhailo Fedorov as Ukraine's defense minister. Authorities have already responded to the public's message, according to Suspilne broadcaster and RBC-Ukraine's correspondent.
Where protests take place
As on the previous two days, demonstrators once again gathered near the Ivan Franko National Academic Drama Theater in Kyiv. They call on the government to reinstate Mykhailo Fedorov as defense minister and to dismiss Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi.
Protests are also taking place in Lviv, Dnipro, Ternopil, Mykolaiv, Kropyvnytskyi, Odesa, and Cherkasy.
In Ternopil, people held carton signs reading: "Bring Fedorov back," "Don't fix what isn't broken," "Fire Syrskyi," and "Fight with drones, not people," among other slogans.
Members of the protests over the resignation of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov in Ukraine's Ternopil (photo: RBC-Ukraine)
Members of the protests over the resignation of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov in Ukraine's Ternopil (photo: RBC-Ukraine)
Members of the protests over the resignation of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov in Ukraine's Ternopil (photo: RBC-Ukraine)
Members of the protests over the resignation of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov in Ukraine's Ternopil (photo: RBC-Ukraine)
Members of the protests over the resignation of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov in Ukraine's Ternopil (photo: RBC-Ukraine)
What demonstrators demand
Following Friday's protests, organizer Dmytro Koziatynskyi said the movement has two key demands:
- Dismissal of Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi
- Appointment of Mykhailo Fedorov as Ukraine's defense minister.
Government says it hears people's message
On Saturday, July 18, Presidential Office adviser Serhii Leshchenko said President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had heard the protesters' message but that decisions would take time. He expressed confidence that Zelenskyy would respond, as he had done last year.
The president has since released a video address confirming that he is listening to the public and that he had a lengthy conversation with Fedorov earlier in the day.
"Today, I spoke at length with Mykhailo Fedorov. I also spoke with Oleksandr Syrskyi today. Decisions regarding the army will be worked out. Thank you to everyone who cares about Ukraine. Thank you to everyone defending our positions on the front line and to those doing their best to bring the war back home—to Russia, where it came from. Glory to Ukraine!" Zelenskyy said.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr #Zelenskyy's evening speech to the nation as of July 18 pic.twitter.com/JVnr4EPXTf
— RBC-Ukraine (@NewsUkraineRBC) July 18, 2026
What Fedorov said
Before Zelenskyy's address, Mykhailo Fedorov published a brief post on his Telegram channel, saying that changes were coming.
"Changes will definitely happen. You thanked me for Mriia and Diia. In return, I thank you for your hope. I have never felt this level of responsibility, even while serving in government. Thank you to our veterans and service members for holding the line and defending our honor. The dialogue is ongoing. I believe we will succeed," he wrote.
Government reshuffle
Earlier, on July 12, Zelenskyy announced his intention to overhaul the Cabinet of Ministers. Two days later, Yulia Svyrydenko submitted her resignation as prime minister, and Ukraine's parliament approved it.
Under Ukrainian law, the prime minister's resignation triggers the resignation of the entire Cabinet. It later emerged that Mykhailo Fedorov was not included in the new government as defense minister or in any other ministerial position.
The reason, according to the report, was a conflict between Fedorov and Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, which Zelenskyy and Fedorov both publicly acknowledged. Fedorov also addressed the issue during a briefing with journalists.
On July 16, the Verkhovna Rada approved the new Cabinet. Serhii Koretskyi, former CEO of the Ukrainian energy giant Naftogaz, was confirmed as prime minister, after which lawmakers approved the heads of nearly all ministries in a single vote.
Mykhailo Fedorov was not among those appointed, while Oleksandr Syrskyi remained commander-in-chief under Zelenskyy's decision.
Amid this, protests began in Kyiv and several other cities, with demonstrators demanding that Fedorov be reinstated and Syrskyi removed from his post.
Later, on July 18, media reports emerged claiming that Zelenskyy considered replacing Syrskyi.
