Protests against Fedorov's dismissal as Ukraine's defence minister continue for seventh day – photos
Demonstrations against the dismissal of Mykhailo Fedorov as Ukraine's defence minister have continued in Kyiv and other cities across Ukraine for the seventh consecutive day.
Source: Ukrainian public broadcaster Suspilne
Details: A Suspilne correspondent reported that around 500 people have gathered in Kyiv.
Protesters said that while their demand for the dismissal of Oleksandr Syrskyi from the post of commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine had been met, they are continuing to call for Mykhailo Fedorov to be reinstated as defence minister.
Suspilne also reported protests in Kropyvnytskyi, Mykolaiv, Dnipro, Lviv, Uzhhorod and Ivano-Frankivsk.
Background:
- Protests were held in Kyiv and other cities every day on 16-21 July, with demonstrators demanding that Fedorov be reinstated as defence minister and that Oleksandr Syrskyi be dismissed as commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
- Zelenskyy acknowledged that Fedorov and Syrskyi had been unable to find common ground and that problems on the battlefield, within brigades and with mobilisation remained unresolved.
- On 18 July, the president said he had spoken with Fedorov and Syrskyi. He promised that "decisions regarding the army will be worked out".
- On 20 July, Syrskyi apologised to Fedorov and said he had not realised there was a conflict between them.
- Following six days of protests, Zelenskyy announced his decision to dismiss Syrskyi as commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and appoint Mykhailo Drapatyi to replace him.
- Veteran Dmytro Koziatynskyi, who previously called on people to protest against then commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, urged Ukrainians to join a protest in Kyiv on 24 July demanding that Fedorov be reinstated as defence minister.
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