Archive · 18 Jul 2026
Ukrainians Protest Army Chief's Retention After Defense Minister's Removal
People in Kyiv, Ukraine, are protesting for the second day in a row.
They want the country's top military leader, Oleksandr Syrskyi, to be removed from his job.
This comes after President Volodymyr Zelenskiy decided not to keep the popular defense minister, Mykhailo Fedorov, in his role.
The protesters think Syrskyi is not doing a good job.
They say he causes many soldiers to die and doesn't use modern ways of fighting.
Some people even think Ukraine could lose the war if Syrskyi stays in charge.
The president has made some changes to try and calm everyone down, but the protesters are still not happy.
Protesters in Kyiv demand the removal of Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi after President Zelenskiy's removal of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov.
Thousands gathered outside the presidential office for a second day, calling for Syrskyi's dismissal and Fedorov's return.
Protesters accuse Syrskyi of having a rigid command style, causing high troop losses, and unwillingness to modernize combat strategies.
President Zelenskiy appointed Ihor Klymenko to lead the national security and defense council and Yevhenii Khmara as acting defense minister to address public outrage.
Protesters believe victory in the war with Russia requires technological advances and a modern army system, which they say is impossible under Syrskyi's leadership.
- Who
- Ukrainian protesters, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov
- What
- Protests demanding the removal of Army Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi following the removal of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov
- When
- Second consecutive day of protests
- Where
- Outside the presidential office in Kyiv
- Why
- Protesters believe Syrskyi's leadership is ineffective and outdated, leading to high troop losses and a lack of modernization in the army
- Protest Location
- Outside the presidential office in Kyiv
- Protest Duration
- Second consecutive day
- Protesters' Demand
- Removal of Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi
- Replaced Defense Minister
- Mykhailo Fedorov
- New National Security and Defense Council Head
- Ihor Klymenko
- Acting Defense Minister
- Yevhenii Khmara
- Protesters' Concerns
- High troop losses, outdated command style, lack of modernization
- Zelenskiy's Action
- Appointed new advisors to show commitment to reforms