Tens of Thousands Protest in Ukraine After Zelensky Dismisses Defense Minister

Tens of thousands of demonstrators gathered in Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities on July 16 to protest President Volodymyr Zelensky's dismissal of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. The rallies followed Zelensky's announcement the previous day that he had removed Fedorov from the post. In Kyiv, crowds assembled outside the presidential palace and the Ivan Franko national theater.

Similar demonstrations took place in Kharkiv and other major cities. , immediately after a minute of silence honoring soldiers killed since the Russian offensive began in 2022. " Zelensky had dismissed Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko earlier in the week.

He was scheduled to propose a new prime minister to parliament later on July 16, with new interior and defense ministers expected to be named in the afternoon. The demonstrations marked the second time in a year that Zelensky faced street protests after attempting a major government change.