Ukrainians Protest After Zelensky Ousts Defence Minister Fedorov

Thousands rallied across Ukrainian cities on July 16, 2026, demanding President Zelensky reinstate Defence Minister Fedorov, whom France24 called his most popular minister. The Kyiv Independent reported the firing was part of a government reshuffle deepening turmoil in military leadership during Ukraine's fifth year of full-scale war — a reshuffle being a broad reorganization of top officials.