Against the backdrop of newly announced protests, dismissed Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov insists on returning to office.
July 23, 2026, 6:59 p.mJuly 23, 2026, 6:59 p.m
“Today there are only three positions in the state, except on the battlefield, that have a real influence on the course of the war: the President of Ukraine, the Minister of Defense and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces,” Fedorov told journalists. He therefore does not agree to any other position than that of Defense Minister.
Fedorov enjoys great support among parts of the population.Image: keystone
Earlier, President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed at a press conference that he had offered Fedorov several positions, including deputy head of the government for military innovation. Fedorov was fired last week as part of a government shakeup.
Several thousand demonstrators in Kiev and other cities then demanded his reinstatement and the dismissal of army chief Olexander Syrskyj. Zelenskyj complied with the second demand on Tuesday. But the organizers of the protests also want Fedorov back and are otherwise threatening permanent demonstrations that are scheduled to start on Friday.
Ukraine has been resisting a Russian invasion for more than four years. Fedorov was the fourth defense minister since the beginning of the war to be dismissed. The 35-year-old had only been in office for six months. (sda/dpa)