Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Protests have rocked Ukraine for days over President Volodymr Zelensky’s wartime leadership reshuffle.
Zelensky fired his former defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov on July 15, triggering mass protests calling for his reinstatement. Fedorov was seen as key to modernizing Ukraine’s military efforts, including using drones.
The president said relations between his defence minister and his top general, Oleksandr Syrskyi, had deteriorated to the point where he was forced to choose between them. Syrskyi has gained notoriety for his adherence to old-fashioned military tactics, including a willingness to sacrifice his soldiers’ lives.
Zelensky eventually bowed to days of public protests by replacing Syrskyi — and offered Fedorov another role in government — but it remains unclear whether that will be enough to end the crisis. #ukraine #zelensky
Protests have rocked Ukraine for days over President Volodymr Zelensky’s wartime leadership reshuffle.
Zelensky fired his former defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov on July 15, triggering mass protests calling for his reinstatement. Fedorov was seen as key to modernizing Ukraine’s military efforts, including using drones.
The president said relations between his defence minister and his top general, Oleksandr Syrskyi, had deteriorated to the point where he was forced to choose between them. Syrskyi has gained notoriety for his adherence to old-fashioned military tactics, including a willingness to sacrifice his soldiers’ lives.
Zelensky eventually bowed to days of public protests by replacing Syrskyi — and offered Fedorov another role in government — but it remains unclear whether that will be enough to end the crisis. #ukraine #zelensky
