KYIV — Protests continued in Ukraine’s capital on Sunday as demonstrators called for changes in the country’s military leadership following the dismissal of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, with some protesters demanding the removal of Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi. The rallies followed a government reshuffle by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that triggered criticism from parts of Ukrainian civil society, veterans and lawmakers.
Several thousand people gathered outside the presidential office in Kyiv in recent days, according to reports from organizers and media covering the demonstrations. Protesters have called for Fedorov’s return and for a review of the military command structure, arguing that Ukraine needs a leadership approach focused on technological innovation and battlefield adaptation.
Fedorov, who had served as defense minister for several months, was removed as part of a wider government reshuffle. Supporters credited him with advancing Ukraine’s drone capabilities and other technology-focused defense initiatives. Critics of his dismissal said the move risked disrupting reforms during the war with Russia.
Zelenskyy has defended the changes, saying Ukraine’s political and military leadership needed greater alignment. The president has not announced a decision to replace Syrskyi, and officials have not confirmed that a change in military command is planned.
The protests are unusual in wartime Ukraine, where authorities have restricted public gatherings under martial law, but demonstrations against the government’s personnel decisions have continued in Kyiv and other cities. Authorities have said there were no major public order violations during earlier rallies.
The dispute comes as Ukraine continues its defense against Russia’s full-scale invasion and faces pressure over military strategy, resources and command decisions. Russian attacks have continued during the period of political tension, including a major overnight missile and drone strike on Kyiv that Ukrainian officials said caused deaths, injuries and damage to civilian infrastructure.
Ukrainian officials have not announced further changes to the military leadership structure. Protesters have said they will continue demonstrations while seeking responses from the government over the defense ministry shake-up and the future direction of military command.
