Hundreds of Ukrainians gathered in Kyiv on Thursday holding signs reading 'Hands off Fedorov' and 'Stop sabotaging victory!' — a direct challenge to President Volodymyr Zelensky's surprise sacking of the popular defence minister, Mykhailo Fedorov. The crowd, mostly young, chanted 'Shame!' as Zelensky remained silent on why he dismissed the 35-year-old, who was appointed only in January and credited with energising the ministry, driving anti-corruption efforts and using data to improve front-line performance.
Fedorov all but confirmed that the dismissal stemmed from tensions with Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi. At a press conference on Thursday, Fedorov said he had suggested to Zelensky that Syrskyi and Chief of the General Staff Andrii Hnatov be replaced. When Zelensky refused, Fedorov said he would 'learn to work with him', but added that 'all the initiatives we proposed were blocked'. Of Syrskyi, Fedorov said: 'Instead of finding a way of defeating Russia asymmetrically … he's found a way of splitting our country.' Zelensky offered Fedorov a role as adviser, which he declined, though he said he was 'confident' the president 'hears the Ukrainian people'.
“Protests against Zelensky's dismissal of defence minister Fedorov as Starmer visits Kyiv pledging 'cast-iron' UK support.”
The protests come as MPs prepare to vote on Fedorov's proposed replacement, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko, and after parliament approved state oil and gas boss Serhiy Koretsky as prime minister following Yuliia Svyrydenko's resignation. Ukrainian soldier Oleksandr, who signed up because he trusted Fedorov's team, called the dismissal 'the worst mistake Zelensky has made during his entire presidency'. 'I don't know anyone who supports the decision to replace him. Not within the army, not in society,' he told the BBC. Maria Lavrynets, 31, at a protest in Ivan Franko Square, said: 'I have lots of friends in the military. Lots of them died. I don't want this to go on.'
Amid the political turmoil, Sir Keir Starmer arrived in Kyiv on his final trip as UK prime minister, pledging 'cast-iron support' for Ukraine. He is due to meet Zelensky later on Thursday. Starmer highlighted the 100-year partnership signed under his leadership, the provision of 150 British-made artillery barrels under a £61m contract with BAE Systems, and efforts to establish a future peacekeeping force. 'We have brought others with us on that journey,' he said, pointing to unity at the G7 and Nato summits. 'Our cast-iron support for Ukraine will always endure.'
The visit comes as Russia continues to target Odesa, striking port infrastructure used for unloading petroleum and killing eight people in attacks on Black Sea oil tankers. The protests risk exposing fractures in Ukraine's leadership even as its Western allies, led by Starmer on his final day, reaffirm their long-term commitment. Starmer's last day as Labour leader precedes Andy Burnham's installation on Friday, who will meet the King on Monday to become prime minister.