On 15 July, hundreds of thousands of demonstrators gathered outside the Verkhovna Rada in Kyiv, chanting and holding signs that called for the reinstatement of Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov and the dismissal of army chief Oleksandr Syrskyi. Similar protests were reported in Lviv, Kharkiv and other regional cities.

Background to the unrest

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy removed the 35‑year‑old Fedorov after a reported breakdown in relations with Syrskyi and delays in mobilisation reforms. During his 129‑day tenure, Fedorov introduced the Brave1 procurement platform, which allows brigades to order equipment directly from domestic producers – a system soldiers have nicknamed the “Amazon of drones”. Officials claim the platform reduces corruption and speeds the integration of new technology, a factor that European partners say influences the usefulness of supplied artillery, air‑defence systems and unmanned aerial vehicles.

Oleksandr Syrskyi, aged 60, was educated in Soviet‑era military schools and built his reputation on conventional artillery and large‑scale manoeuvres. He commanded Kyiv’s ground forces in 2022, took part in the push that expelled Russian forces from Kharkiv, and oversaw a limited Ukrainian incursion into Russia’s Kursk region in 2024.

Voices from the front line

Veteran Denys, who lost a leg in combat, argued that Fedorov is the first defence minister to produce real results on the battlefield, that drones are essential compared with more artillery, and that Syrskyi belongs to an older era, warning that continuing the same tactics would cause more soldier deaths.

Former intelligence officer Ivan Stupak described Fedorov as a domestic equivalent of a well‑known tech entrepreneur, highlighting his push for rapid drone procurement and digital tools.

Presidential response and new appointment

Within days of the protests, Zelenskyy dismissed Syrskyi and named 44‑year‑old Mykhailo Drapatyi as the new commander‑in‑chief. Soldiers describe Drapatyi as a highly capable field commander who supports giving frontline officers greater decision‑making authority and reducing a rigid top‑down command structure. In a televised interview, Drapatyi defended the ongoing reform agenda and pledged to speed up the integration of drone units.

Analytical perspectives

Political analyst Volodymyr Fesenko warned that removing Fedorov opened many problems and argued that the president needs a younger, more flexible Syrskyi who is open to change. Some experts, including Stupak, believe the reshuffle will have limited immediate effect on operational decisions because many reforms are already underway. The European Defence Fund and other EU defence‑industry initiatives are cited as possible tools to help Ukraine develop a more agile and transparent military system.

Outlook

The coming weeks will reveal whether Drapatyi can reconcile the traditional hierarchy with the technology‑focused approach promoted by Fedorov. The continued presence of protesters in Kyiv signals that ordinary citizens, many of whom have lost relatives, are demanding accountability from their leaders.