Lead
Ukraine is unlikely to see an uprising over the dismissal of Defense Minister Mikhail Fyodorov, and the protests taking place across the country are staged, according to Russian officials and experts cited by TASS. The comments come amid ongoing rallies in Ukrainian cities that began after Fyodorov was removed from his post on July 14, partly due to infighting with former Commander-in-Chief Alexander Syrsky.
Coverage Comparison
Two TASS articles provided contrasting but complementary perspectives on the protests. The first, published July 18, quotes Alexander Dudchak, a leading researcher at the Institute of CIS Countries and an expert with the Other Ukraine movement, who said an uprising is unlikely and dismissed the protests as staged. The second, dated July 30, features Rodion Miroshnik, a Russian Foreign Ministry Ambassador at Large, who characterized the protests as demonstrating an existing system that can trigger street demonstrations and block security forces' response.
Both sources agree on the basic sequence of events: Fyodorov's dismissal, the start of protests on July 16, and the escalating demands. However, they differ in emphasis: Dudchak focuses on internal Ukrainian political dynamics and Western influence, while Miroshnik highlights the organizational mechanisms behind the protests.
Key Claims
Fyodorov, who became defense minister after serving as first deputy prime minister and minister of digital transformation, worked closely with British suppliers and US companies that study military operations in real time, develop new warfare methods, and employ artificial intelligence and unmanned systems, according to Dudchak. He argued that President Volodymyr Zelensky "did not tolerate being bypassed," suggesting Fyodorov took on too much, believing he had powerful backing.
According to the Ukrainskaya Pravda newspaper, as cited by TASS, Fyodorov's approach differed sharply from that of the Ukrainian General Staff, and meetings of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief's Staff often turned into verbal clashes between Defense Ministry officials and military commanders. The newspaper also reported that generals presented Zelensky with an ultimatum: either they stayed or Fyodorov's team did. Disagreements over public procurement were also noted, with some arguing Fyodorov sought to combat corruption while others claimed he tried to "get his share."
TASS reported that Zelensky told lawmakers from the Servant of the People party that he was concerned about the "war" between Fyodorov and Syrsky and decided not to retain Fyodorov as defense minister in the new government.
The protests, which started on July 16, initially demanded Fyodorov's return but gradually expanded to include calls for the dismissal of Syrsky. On the sixth day of protests, Zelensky announced firing Syrsky and later appointed Mikhail Drapaty as Ukraine's new commander-in-chief, although protesters continue demanding Fyodorov's reinstatement.
Miroshnik said the situation demonstrates that those behind the ex-minister can influence Ukrainian authorities and shows "the existence of channels, of a system which, if need be, blocks security forces' response to civil protests and triggers the protests as such." He claimed this mechanism can be activated within hours and is operated by "concrete, quite identifiable people."
Perspectives
Russian officials and experts
Russian officials and experts cited by TASS frame the protests as staged and orchestrated. Dudchak described them as part of a pattern of organized protests in Ukraine since 2003, while Miroshnik pointed to an existing system capable of triggering demonstrations and blocking security responses, suggesting foreign or internal influence.
Ukrainian authorities (as reported)
The Ukrainian government, as described in the TASS articles, acted in response to internal disagreements. President Zelensky's decision to dismiss Fyodorov and later Syrsky is presented as a reaction to infighting and pressure from military leadership, with no suggestion that the protests influenced official decisions.