- Protesters have threatened nationwide demonstrations if Mykhailo Fedorov is not reinstated as defence minister, demanding the dismissal of army chief Oleksandr Syrskyi.
- The general staff denied reports that Gen Syrskyi was about to be sacked, while another report indicated Fedorov refused a different government post.
- Kyrylo Budanov, head of the president's office, urged calm, saying "the situation surrounding the latest internal changes has caused strong emotions" and that "the position of society has been heard".
- Gen Syrskyi publicly defended his record, denied rivalry with Fedorov, and apologized: "If I offended anyone, Mykhailo Albertovych [Fedorov], I'm sorry."
- Syrskyi emphasized that "real work, not the public drama surrounding it, wins the war" and criticized presentations lacking substance: "Behind each slide there should be a document, a budget and a procedure."
- Protester Tetiana Makarenko called for new ideas: "It's time to change the mindset and start the new type of war."
- Syrskyi rejected accusations of being anti-drone, noting he created an unmanned systems force but argued "I cannot transform a million-strong army to drones in two months."
Protests in Ukraine have erupted over the recent ousting of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, with demonstrators demanding his reinstatement and the dismissal of Army Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi.11121415
Thousands have taken to the streets in Kyiv and other cities, threatening nationwide demonstrations if their demands are not met. Army veteran Dmytro Koziatynskyi warned, 'we will begin an open-ended nationwide protest' if Syrskyi is not dismissed by Friday.
Amidst the turmoil, the general staff denied rumors of Syrskyi's imminent dismissal, while Fedorov reportedly declined an offer to return to a different government position.
Kyrylo Budanov, head of the president's office, urged calm, acknowledging the strong emotions surrounding the changes. 'The position of society has been heard,' he stated.67
In a defense of his record, Syrskyi criticized the public drama surrounding the leadership changes, emphasizing that 'decisions on which people's lives depend are not made with slogans.' He also addressed accusations of lacking strategy, asserting that he had overseen the creation of an unmanned systems force.
As the situation unfolds, potential candidates for Fedorov's position include Mykhailo Drapatyi and Brig Gen Denys Prokopenko, the latter known for his controversial 'Azov' Regiment.
The protests reflect a broader demand for change in military leadership as Ukraine navigates its ongoing conflict.
“Protesters have threatened nationwide demonstrations if former defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov is not reinstated and army chief Gen Syrskyi is not dismissed by Friday. Army chief Gen Syrskyi publicly defended his record and apologized to Fedorov, saying 'If I offended anyone, Mykhailo Albertovych, I'm sorry,' while the head of the president's office urged calm.”
BBC
