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Protests erupt in Ukraine over dismissal of Defense Minister
🇱🇹 Lithuania /Elections & Politics

Protests erupt in Ukraine over dismissal of Defense Minister

From Delfi · () Lithuanian

Translated from Lithuanian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Protests against the dismissal of former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov are ongoing in Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities for the third consecutive day.
  • Demonstrators are demanding accountability for the cabinet's dismissal and an audit of the chief military commander's actions.
  • Protests have also called for the resignation of the Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, with some demonstrators chanting "Syrskyi – out!".

Protests have erupted across Ukraine, continuing for a third day, against the recent dismissal of former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. Demonstrations in Kyiv saw large crowds gather in central squares, chanting slogans such as "Servants of the people, come out to the people!" and "We stand and will stand!"

Servants of the people, come out to the people!

— ProtestersChants during protests in Kyiv demanding accountability from government officials.

In Lviv, protesters held signs reading "Conscience cannot be forgiven" and "The source of power is the people." They are demanding that the role of the Verkhovna Rada in forming the government be restored, that the reasons for the Cabinet's dismissal be publicly explained, and that an independent audit of the chief military commander's activities be conducted and followed by his replacement.

Syrskyi – out!

— ProtestersChants heard during protests in Kyiv and Odesa, calling for the resignation of the Commander-in-Chief.

Similar protests have occurred in other cities, including Dnipro, Odesa, and Mykolaiv. In Odesa, approximately a thousand people gathered, chanting "Syrskyi – out!" and questioning accountability for events in Krynky. In Mykolaiv, over 150 people marched in support of Fedorov.

We stand and will stand!

— ProtestersSlogan used by demonstrators in Kyiv expressing their resolve.

The protests follow President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's announcement on July 16th regarding a new government, where Yevhen Hmara was appointed Defense Minister. Zelenskyy confirmed a conflict between Fedorov and Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, with the former minister alleging that the military chief blocked his initiatives and issued ultimatums. This led to widespread "cardboard protests" and demonstrations demanding Fedorov's reinstatement and Syrskyi's dismissal.

Conscience cannot be forgiven

— ProtestersSlogan displayed on signs during protests in Lviv.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Delfi in Lithuanian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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