Kyiv protests demand return of ousted defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov FAST-MOVING
Former defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov was dismissed in mid‑July 2026 after a clash with army commander‑in‑chief Oleksandr Syrskyi. President Volodymyr Zelensky subsequently removed Syrskyi and appointed Mykhailo Drapatyi as the new top commander of the Ukrainian armed forces.
On 31 July 2026, several thousand people marched through central Kyiv, gathering near the presidential office and chanting slogans such as “The people are the power”. Demonstrators held cardboard signs demanding “Bring him back” and an “effective manager” to return to the defence ministry. An air‑raid alert sounded and an explosion was heard, but few participants sought shelter. Protesters also called for clearer communication from the president.
Fedorov has repeatedly said he will only re‑enter government as defence minister. The protests were echoed in other Ukrainian cities, reflecting broad public opposition to his removal and concern over defence reforms.
Entities: Dmytro Koziatynskyi · Iryna Tkatchouk · Iryna Tkatchuk · Kyiv · Mykhailo Drapatyi · Mykhailo Drapeko · Mykhailo Fedorov · Oleksandr Syrskyi · Volodymyr Zelensky
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] President Volodymyr Zelensky later dismissed Syrskyi and appointed General Mykhailo Drapeko as chief of the armed forces. (ceaa84b3-b8b1-4dbd-8460-3433b7d7cbf9)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Around 6,000 people participated in a march in Kyiv demanding the return of former defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov. (ceaa84b3-b8b1-4dbd-8460-3433b7d7cbf9)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Protests also took place in Lviv, Dnipro and at least eight other Ukrainian cities. (ceaa84b3-b8b1-4dbd-8460-3433b7d7cbf9)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Mykhailo Fedorov was dismissed after a conflict with then‑chief of the Ukrainian armed forces, General Oleksandr Syrskyi. (ceaa84b3-b8b1-4dbd-8460-3433b7d7cbf9)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The protests have maintained momentum over weeks, showing sustained public concern over Ukraine’s defence policy. (2a32c87c-901f-4822-a48a-744438b05da7)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Demonstrations have continued despite ongoing Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukraine. (2a32c87c-901f-4822-a48a-744438b05da7)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Mykhailo Fedorov was the youngest defence minister in Ukrainian history, appointed on 14 January 2026. (ceaa84b3-b8b1-4dbd-8460-3433b7d7cbf9)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Protesters say the rallies are about accountability, transparency and military reforms, not just the individual minister. (2a32c87c-901f-4822-a48a-744438b05da7)
- [● 5 SOURCES] Fedorov claimed his attempts to increase transparency in the army’s supply system upset many and may have contributed to his dismissal. (All articles)
- [● 5 SOURCES] An air‑raid alert sounded during the protest, but few reacted; an explosion was heard and the alert was lifted around 20:30 local time. (All articles)
- [● 5 SOURCES] Protesters chanted “Make him return!” and displayed signs demanding an effective manager to return. (All articles)
- [● 5 SOURCES] Fedorov said he would only return to the government as defence minister. (All articles)