President Volodymyr Zelensky in Paris, France, on July 13, 2026. (Teresa Suarez / Pool / AFP / Getty Images)What was widely praised just months ago as one of President Volodymyr Zelensky's strongest personnel decisions may now be remembered as one of his most significant missteps.On the morning of July 16, thousands of Ukrainians gathered in central Kyiv after Zelensky opted not to reappoint Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov as part of a government reshuffle, calling on the president to reverse his decision."The Russians' delight only confirms that this decision is a shot in the foot," says 28-year-old Sofia as more and more people gather outside Ivan Franko Theater facing the President's Office building.She says that, as a civilian, she pays attention to what soldiers think. And soldiers have been vocal in their dissatisfaction with Fedorov's dismissal, which comes as Ukraine appears to be turning the tide of the war with the minister's help."This will erode trust in the government and deepen the military's loss of faith."People held hastily assembled placards, their slogans painted by hand, ranging from pointed criticism to outright ridicule of the president. Among them were signs quoting the Ukrainian writer and musician Serhii Zhadan: "Why the f*ck do I need a system that works against me?"Protesters hold placards reading "Hands off Fedorov" during a demonstration against President Volodymyr Zelensky's decision to dismiss Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov in Kyiv, Ukraine, on July 16, 2026. (Tetiana Dzhafarova / AFP / Getty Images)The crowd repeatedly broke into chants — "Fedorov, Fedorov" — demanding that he remain defense minister, a post he has held for just six months.Fedorov became Zelensky's sixth defense minister and the second appointed within a year. A popular tech prodigy, he spent nearly seven years building Ukraine's Digital Transformation Ministry and was the only senior official to survive all of Zelensky's cabinet reshuffles.