Zelensky signals possible army changes as Ukraine protests continue

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky hinted on Saturday at possible changes in the army after protests over the removal of defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov continued for a third day.

Fedorov, 35, was dismissed earlier in the week in a reshuffle by Zelensky. He had been known for supporting drones and military reform. The protests took place as Zelensky held two days of meetings with senior military commanders, while media reports speculated that he could be considering a replacement for army chief Oleksandr Syrsky.

Zelensky said in an evening address that he had held many consultations and that he heard what people were saying. He said he had spoken with both Syrsky and Fedorov, and added that decisions about the army would be developed.

In Kyiv, protesters clapped and hit cardboard placards while chanting “shame” and “Fedorov”. Organisers also announced rallies in other major Ukrainian cities. Demonstrators also called for Syrsky to resign. The report said Syrsky had allegedly demanded Fedorov’s dismissal after the two clashed over how to respond to Russia’s invasion.

Fedorov wrote on Telegram in his first response to the protests that he thanked people for their hope. He said there was dialogue and that he believed everything would work out.

During his roughly six months in office, Fedorov repeatedly argued with Syrsky while trying to digitise and modernise an army under strain after four and a half years of fighting. After being removed, Fedorov held a press conference on Thursday in which he accused Syrsky of dividing the country. He criticised slow bureaucracy and what he described as a lack of flexibility, and questioned whether Ukraine could defeat Russia with Syrsky leading the army.

Syrsky, who led Kyiv’s defence in the first months of the 2022 invasion, responded by calling for attention to remain on the war and on what he described as an effective strategy producing concrete results.

The political tensions come as Ukraine appears to have stabilised the front, while its long-range strikes have begun to affect daily life inside Russia.