Fired Ukrainian Defence Minister Refuses Advisory Role as Protesters Rally for His Leadership

Zelenskyy dismissed Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov on July 15, 2026, seven months into his tenure. Fedorov publicly declined Zelenskyy's offer to remain as a government adviser. Protesters rallied in Kyiv and other cities; one attendee told Al Jazeera she wanted Fedorov as president. Analyst Ihar Tyshkevich said most Ukrainians thanked Fedorov while Syrskii was "utterly unpopular."