Ukrainians protest Zelenskyy's ouster of his popular defense minister

By — Samya Kullab, Associated Press Samya Kullab, Associated Press By — Illia Novikov, Associated Press Illia Novikov, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/ukrainians-protest-zelenskyys-ouster-of-his-popular-defense-minister Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Ukrainians protest Zelenskyy's ouster of his popular defense minister World Jul 16, 2026 1:21 PM EDT KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — President Volodymyr Zelenskyy shook up his wartime government, drawing thousands into the streets Thursday across Ukraine to protest the ouster of his youthful defense minister — seen as an innovator of the country's successful drone technology but who clashed with the traditional military establishment. The personnel overhaul, which included replacing his prime minister, could become a test of Zelenskyy's political authority as Ukraine's fight against Russia's full-scale invasion approaches 4½ years. Zelenskyy has remained in office under martial law because wartime elections are prohibited but has periodically reshuffled his government. READ MORE: Ukraine's prime minister steps down as Zelenskyy announces government reshuffle The moves threw Ukraine's military leadership into an unwelcome crisis at a time when its actions against Russia are starting to bear fruit and as Moscow has unleashed unrelenting aerial attacks. Two people were killed and five others were wounded, including a child, when Russian missiles hit the capital of Kyiv overnight, Ukraine's Emergency Service said. WATCH: Russia pounds Kyiv with missiles and drones after Ukraine's strikes on oil infrastructure In making the changes, Zelenskyy cited friction between outgoing Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov and Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi, the commander of Ukraine's armed forces. "I'm just showing that if the sides can't resolve an issue, I will have to resolve it," Zelenskyy said at a news conference. The outgoing defense chief was seen as a modernizer Fedorov, 35, is considered to be a vigorous modernizer whose technological expertise is credited in part with significantly improving Ukraine's military performance in recent months against Russia's bigger army. He is leaving the government after only six months in the post. Fedorov appeared at a news conference in a dark T-shirt and jeans, and accused Syrskyi of blocking reforms needed because "the war has changed completely" due to new technology like drones. During his time in office, he secured restrictions on Russian forces' access to the Starlink satellite communications system, allowing Ukraine to better leverage its midrange strike capabilities giving Kyiv significant battlefield advantages. WATCH: As Russia pounds Ukrainian cities, Kyiv tries to turn the tide with battlefront innovation Fedorov said he was willing to work with Syrskyi, "but we encountered a situation in which all the initiatives we proposed began to be blocked." "Under this arrangement (wit