Public demonstrations in Ukraine have entered a new phase as protesters intensify pressure on President Volodymyr Zelensky over recent changes in the country's military leadership. Another rally was held in Kyiv on July 20, with organizers demanding that former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov be restored to his post and Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi removed instead. According to veteran Dmytro Koziatynskyi, one of the organizers, protesters have given the government until Friday to respond before deciding whether to resume demonstrations after a planned three-day pause.
“We've actually set a deadline of Friday for our demands to be met,” Koziatynskyi said. “Today's event is not a protest - it's an action focused on our demands. Then there will be a three-day pause until Friday. And if our demand is met by Friday, we'll stop.”
The protests began after Zelensky dismissed Fedorov during a Cabinet reshuffle. Since July 16, thousands of people have gathered daily in Kyiv, while smaller demonstrations have spread to other Ukrainian cities. Many participants, including active-duty soldiers and veterans, argue that removing one of the country's most popular ministers could undermine ongoing reforms at the Defense Ministry while leaving broader concerns about military leadership unresolved.
