Protests against removal of popular defence minister erupt across Ukraine

Large protests erupted in several Ukrainian cities on Thursday morning against the removal of popular Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov.

AFP reporters in Kyiv saw more than a thousand people gathered on a central square, singing the Ukrainian national anthem, waving Ukrainian and EU flags and chanting "shame" and "bring Fedorov back".

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Only appointed six months ago, Fedorov carved a reputation as a moderniser who tried to reform the Ukrainian military, worn down by more than four years of the Russian invasion.

His removal risks throwing uncertainty into the army at a time when Ukraine in one of its best positions in the war for months, having halted the pace of the Russian advance and pounding Russian oil and military sites with long-range drones.

"I believe that his dismissal is a slap in the face of the Ukrainian people," Vlada Roman, a 30-year-old business owner told AFP.

She said she hoped President Volodymyr Zelensky would row back on the decision, saying he was "afraid of effective people".

"After today's rally he'll change his mind, I hope so."

Local media reported protests in several other cities, including Lviv, Odesa and Dnipro.

Uncertain future for Fedorov

Fedorov announced late Wednesday he was stepping down, saying it was a "great honour to serve the Ukrainian people", amid a sweeping government reshuffle ordered by Zelensky.

No official reason was given for the decision, which protestors saw as part of infighting inside Ukraine's military establishment between Fedorov and commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrsky.

"In difficult ‌moments, Zelensky behaves like a hero," wrote Vitalii Sych, chief editor of Ukrainian outlet NV. "But we should not forget that difficult moments are often caused ​by his idiotic decisions."

A proposed new government under energy executive Sergii Koretskyi would see ‌current Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko replace Fedorov, lawmakers said, a move that has rattled faith in ⁠Zelensky's leadership.

The deputy commander of Ukraine's air force Pavlo Yelizarov also resigned in protest at Fedorov's removal, calling it "a great evil" for Ukraine's defence.

"It is a great honour for me to work with Mykhailo Fedorov. In 2022, I joined the defence forces to win, not to pretend to be doing something," he said in his resignation statement.

It was not immediately clear whether Fedorov would be offered another government job.

(FRANCE 24 with AFP, Reuters)