Ukrainians rally again for Fedorov reinstatement as organizers 'disappointed' in Zelensky's silence
"The president has maximally disappointed me with his silence, especially considering that the lack of communication has effectively become the trigger for these protests," Dmytro Koziatynskyi, a war veteran and one of the protest organizers, said on social media.
On August 14, 2026, protesters congregated in the heart of Kyiv to demand the reinstatement of former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, led by organizers who expressed disappointment in President Volodymyr Zelensky's lack of response to their pleas. The demonstration, though smaller than the initial protests that began in mid-July following Fedorov's abrupt removal from his position during a tumultuous government reshuffle, still garnered several hundred participants.
Former Commanders-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi was later dismissed, satisfying one of the protesters' primary demands, but Zelensky has steadfastly refused to reinstate Fedorov as defense minister.
Dmytro Koziatynskyi, a war veteran and protest organizer, expressed his fury on social media, stating that Zelensky's silence compounded his frustration. As the Ukrainian parliament was set to reconvene on August 18 after its summer recess, demonstrators were eagerly awaiting Zelensky's official nomination of acting Defense Minister Yevhen Khmara to the ministerial post.
Some insiders suggested Zelensky might sidestep a vote on Khmara's candidacy to prevent further public anger. Koziatynskyi urged citizens to join a march in central Kyiv on August 16.
Fedorov was once a highly esteemed figure in Ukrainian politics during his tenure, spearheading significant military reforms and initiatives that garnered widespread public support. His unexpected dismissal left many Ukrainians perplexed, as Zelensky never offered a clear rationale for the decision. Instead, he cited an alleged disagreement between Fedorov and Syrskyi, dismissing the latter and appointing General Mykhailo Drapatyi as his replacement, a move well-received by the public, although it failed to quell the dissent.
Despite this, protests persisted, with thousands marching through Kyiv's park on July 31, calling for dialogue and reforms in defense. However, momentum gradually waned, with protests dwindling to gatherings of around 100 or more individuals daily. Zelensky largely refrained from engaging directly with the protests while remaining silent on Fedorov's future, offering him a position in government focused on Ukraine's technological sector, which Fedorov rejected in favor of returning as defense minister.
Written by urgent.news from Kyiv Independent's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
