Thousands of Ukrainians have taken to the streets for a fourth consecutive day demanding the reinstatement of ousted Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, as President Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledged the growing unrest.
The crowd on Franko Square in Kyiv thinned somewhat on Sunday, the fourth day of demonstrations, while protests continued across multiple Ukrainian cities. Demonstrators are demanding Fedorov's return and the dismissal of armed forces commander Oleksandr Syrskyi, alongside new calls for parliament to cut its summer recess and protect soldiers' rights.
Zelensky said in his daily address that he hears what people are saying and confirmed he had spoken with both Fedorov and Syrskyi. Prime Minister Serhiy Koretsky appointed Yevhen Khmara as acting defence minister on Friday. Fedorov, defence minister since January 2026, had built a reputation for innovative warfare tactics and tackling corruption in military procurement.