Ukraine is facing growing political pressure as protests intensify over the removal of former Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov and calls for the dismissal of Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi.
Thousands of demonstrators have gathered in Kyiv and other cities over the past week, urging President Volodymyr Zelensky to reverse his decision to remove Fedorov and replace Syrskyi.
Army veteran Dmytro Koziatynskyi warned that if no action is taken by Friday, “we will begin an open-ended nationwide protest.”
Zelensky Consults Officials Amid Growing Crisis
No demonstrations are scheduled before Friday, but Ukrainian media reported that Zelensky has spent the weekend consulting ministers and senior military officials in search of a solution.
The General Staff also dismissed reports that Syrskyi had already been removed, while other reports suggested Fedorov had declined an offer to return to government in another role.
Kyrylo Budanov appealed for calm, saying: “The situation surrounding the latest internal changes has caused strong emotions.”
He added: “The position of society has been heard.”Budanov also urged Ukrainians not to turn against one another.”
The enemy is closely monitoring our every internal dispute and is waiting for us to start fighting among ourselves,” he said.
Syrskyi Defends His Leadership
In a rare public response, General Syrskyi rejected claims that he had been in conflict with Fedorov.
“I perceived our relationship as a working one,” he wrote.
“If I offended anyone, Mykhailo Albertovych [Fedorov], I’m sorry.”
The commander argued that military procurement, mobilisation and battlefield planning were far more complex than public debate suggested.
“Decisions on which people’s lives depend are not made with slogans,” he said.
“Real work, not the public drama surrounding it, wins the war.”
Responding to criticism over his approach to modern warfare, Syrskyi also dismissed accusations that he opposed the increased use of drones.
“The strangest reproach that I have heard is that I supposedly do not want to fight with drones,” he said, noting that he had overseen the creation of Ukraine’s unmanned systems force.
However, he argued drones alone could not win the war.“I cannot transform a million-strong army to drones in two months and say: now we fight like this.”
Fedorov Retains Public Support
Many protesters continue to view Fedorov as the architect of Ukraine’s military modernisation and technological innovation.
Speaking during the demonstrations, Tetiana Makarenko said:
“Right now, the war is changing, so we need new ideas and a new structure.”
She added: “It’s time to change the mindset and start the new type of war.”
Fedorov’s six months as defence minister coincided with several battlefield successes, strengthening public confidence in his leadership.
Younger Commanders Linked to Top Military Role
Speculation continues over who could replace Syrskyi should Zelensky decide to make a change.
Among those reportedly under consideration are:
- Mykhailo Drapatyi
- Andriy Biletskyi
- Oleh Apostol
- Ihor Obolenskyi
- Brigadier General Denys Prokopenko
Most of the reported candidates are in their late 30s or mid-40s, representing a younger generation of military commanders.
President Zelensky has said he is still reviewing “what adjustments need to be made to Ukraine’s defence strategy.” Furthermore, he stressed that “Ukraine must enter August as strong as possible.”
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