Protests are escalating in Ukraine against President Volodymyr Zelensky’s decision to maintain General Oleksandr Syrskyi as the commander of the army while dismissing former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. Demonstrations are expected to take place in Kyiv.
Dmytro Koziatynskyi, a veteran and one of the protest organizers, stated on Monday that the protests now have two clear demands: the reinstatement of Fedorov as Defense Minister and the dismissal of Syrskyi from his role as army chief. A decision regarding Syrskyi’s potential dismissal is anticipated soon, possibly within days, according to sources familiar with the situation.
Fedorov has reportedly been offered a new position focused on military technology and overseeing the ministry’s modernization, but he prefers to return only as Defense Minister. “For Fedorov, it’s essential to continue all the projects he has started,” one source mentioned.
Since July 16, Ukrainians have been staging daily protests opposing Fedorov’s dismissal, as he is one of the youngest and most popular officials in the country. During his tenure as Defense Minister, Fedorov coordinated significant initiatives aimed at enhancing Ukraine’s military capabilities.
Protests have drawn thousands in Kyiv, with smaller rallies occurring in other Ukrainian cities. After Monday’s demonstration, organizers plan to pause protests for three days, as Koziatynskyi noted. “We have set a deadline of Friday for our requests to be met,” he added.
“Today’s event is not a protest; it’s an action focused on our demands. If our request is fulfilled by Friday, we will stop,” the veteran stated.
Tensions Between Fedorov and Syrskyi
Negative reactions have highlighted the relationship between these two officials. As details surrounding Fedorov’s dismissal emerged, focus shifted to his personal and professional relationship with Syrskyi, which had reached a stalemate. Tensions were anticipated since Fedorov’s appointment, reflecting differing approaches to military leadership and organizational culture.
Syrskyi has favored a highly centralized command structure, reportedly grounded in Soviet military doctrine. He has faced criticism from soldiers and analysts for micromanagement and fostering what critics describe as a Soviet-style command culture.
Recent decisions by Zelensky have drawn criticism from parliament members, veterans, and the public, with many expressing that Fedorov’s dismissal could undermine reforms at the Defense Ministry while raising concerns about military leadership.
Syrskyi Visits Front Amid Dismissal Rumors
Earlier on Monday, General Syrskyi visited the outskirts of Kostiantynivka, a city the Kremlin considers occupied since early July, amid rumors that President Zelensky might dismiss him. Syrskyi announced his visit on social media, suggesting that the city remains in Ukrainian hands, noting only minor Russian infiltrations in specific areas.
According to estimates from the head of Ukraine’s army, only 145 Russian soldiers have been concentrated in Kostiantynivka, a city that had over 70,000 residents before the war. Capturing the locality would help the Russian army achieve its priority objective of controlling the remaining main cities under Ukrainian control in the Donetsk region: Kramatorsk and Sloviansk.
A recent map shared by the Ukrainian military channel on Telegram, DeepState, indicates part of Kostiantynivka is still under Ukrainian control, while the other part remains a contested zone where fighting is ongoing.
General Syrskyi reported that his forces eliminated 21 Russian occupiers and injured six others in the past 24 hours. He also emphasized the importance of intensifying the use of drones to continue operations while minimizing the risk to his troops.
Fedorov has criticized Syrskyi for not adapting to changes brought about by drones in the current warfare reality. Syrskyi announced his visit to the front line at Kostiantynivka after the Ukrainian assault regiment “Skelia” released a video showing soldiers posing with a Ukrainian flag in a ruined building in the city.
Soldiers in the video mention both President Zelensky and the army chief, informing that the city is “once again under the blue and yellow flag” of Ukraine. Recent reports have highlighted abuses against soldiers within the Skelia regiment, which critics attribute to the alleged authoritarian culture established by Syrskyi in the army.
In response to the protests and signs of support for former Minister Fedorov from various sectors of Ukrainian society and power structures, Zelensky met with army commanders under Syrskyi’s command. The Kyiv leader promised changes in the structure and organization of the army within this week.
