KYIV -- President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sacked Mykhaylo Fedorov as defense minister, a dramatic shakeup of his Cabinet that sent shockwaves through Ukrainian political and military circles and stoked new questions about oversight of Ukraine's stubborn defense against Russia's all-out invasion.Fedorov, a youngish, whiz-kid bureaucrat who has spearheaded digital transformation efforts across the government and embraced drone innovation as an important weapon in the war, confirmed he had been relieved of his post on July 15.The move sparked protests in the capital, Kyiv, and other Ukrainian cities, where people gathered to voice their opposition to the decision.A protester speaking to RFE/RL in Kyiv on July 16 said the demonstrators had gathered in support of Fedorov, criticizing the government's decision to dismiss him at a time when reforms at the Defense Ministry had begun, and their results were already becoming visible."We know that he is the most effective defense minister in the history of Ukrainian independence," she said, adding that "we do not understand this decision and are protesting against it.""I don't remember anyone ever being removed so unjustifiably. I mean, people are usually dismissed for poor results, but this will be a joy for Russia," said another protester who told RFE/RL that he was taking part in such a spontaneous protest for the first time.He added that he was convinced that removing Fedorov and his team from their positions would have a very negative impact on the Defense Ministry's work.Standing beside a sign reading "Fedorov's dismissal is a crime," a protester named Stefan told Current Time that he rarely attends demonstrations but felt compelled to join this one."I generally don't go to rallies, but I see this as such a stupid decision, such an incompetent one -- we're simply shooting ourselves in the foot -- that even I couldn't stay away and had to come," he said.Dmytro Koziatynskiy, a Ukrainian veteran who called for the July 16 protest in Kyiv, also criticized the planned cabinet reshuffle."They want to replace an effective defense minister with a completely ineffective one who, in my opinion, has no competence at all," he told Current Time.According to RFE/RL correspondents in Kyiv, several hundred people took part in a rally in support of Fedorov, where chants such as "Bring Fedorov back" were heard.Similar protests were also held in Lviv, Kharkiv, Dnipro, and Odesa.Fedorov's short tenure as defense minister has coincided with Ukrainian forces battling Russian troops to a near stalemate.Short-range tactical drones have helped Ukraine plug holes in their defenses, and keep Russian troops from making substantial forward movement. But Ukrainian commanders also continue to struggle with a lack of manpower and experienced units to counter Russian attempts at breaking through.