Ukraine protests enter third day over defence minister’s dismissal

Thousands of demonstrators have continued their protests across Ukraine for a third consecutive day, demanding the reinstatement of former defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov. The sustained public unrest occurs against the backdrop of an ongoing war, with citizens calling for the reversal of Fedorov’s recent removal from office.

The timing of the demonstrations coincides with a period of intense strategic deliberation within the Ukrainian government. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been conducting two days of meetings with the country’s top military commanders. While the source material indicates these events are occurring simultaneously, it does not establish a direct causal link between the military consultations and the public demonstrations.

Fedorov is described in available reports as a popular figure within the former administration. However, the specific reasons for his dismissal have not been detailed in the source material provided by France 24 International. The protests are focused solely on the demand for his return to the role of defence minister.

The scale of the mobilisation has been characterised as involving thousands of participants, though precise numerical figures are not available. The continuity of the protests for three days suggests a significant level of public engagement and dissatisfaction regarding the personnel changes in the defence sector.

As the demonstrations persist, the government remains engaged in high-level security discussions. The outcome of President Zelenskyy’s meetings with military leadership and the potential impact on the protest situation remain undefined in the current reporting.