Protests in support of ex-defence minister Fedorov: Kyiv march for dialogue and reforms announced

Dmytro Koziatynskyi, the veteran who called on Ukrainians to protest against the dismissal of former defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov, has announced that a protest march in support of dialogue and defence reforms is to be held in Kyiv on the evening of 31 July and urged other cities to join in.

Source: Koziatynskyi on X (Twitter)

Quote: "I'm inviting everyone to join a protest march for dialogue and reforms in the defence sector this Friday 31 July at 19:00 in Kyiv. Starting point: the Shevchenko monument in Shevchenko Park. Finish: Ivan Franko Square.

I'm also encouraging other cities to organise protest marches along their central streets if the security situation allows."

Details: Koziatynskyi said President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's recent comments on the latest government reshuffle have failed to provide Ukrainians with clear answers.

"I think everyone will have seen the president's latest interview. Unfortunately we still haven't had an answer to the question people have been asking at protests across the country. I believe that listening to your people is a sign of strength, and I hope the president will listen to us. Unless there is proper communication, frustration and disillusionment will continue to grow in society, and that's certainly not something we should carry into what is already shaping up to be an extremely hard winter," Koziatynskyi said.

He also urged Zelenskyy to give Fedorov time to implement reforms – a year, for example – and then "make a decision based on the results".

Background:

• Since 16 July, protests have been taking place in Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities demanding Fedorov's reinstatement as defence minister and Oleksandr Syrskyi's dismissal as commander-in-chief. Several days after the protests began, the president announced that Mykhailo Drapatyi would be appointed as the new commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces.
• Following the announcement, Koziatynskyi urged Ukrainians to join an open-ended protest calling for Fedorov's return to the Defence Ministry.
• Earlier, Zelenskyy acknowledged that Fedorov and Syrskyi had been unable to work together. In an interview on 27 July, Zelenskyy explained the reasons behind the personnel changes, reiterating that he had to resolve the problems in coordination between the military command and the Defence Ministry and ensure unity in addressing key wartime challenges. The president did not mention whether Fedorov could return as defence minister following Drapatyi's appointment.

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