Ukraine’s wartime unity put to the test by protests over military leadership

Lead

Thousands of people have turned out in Kyiv to protest Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's sacking of his popular defence minister, Mykhailo Fedorov, as part of a reshuffle that has triggered the longest sustained street protests in Ukraine directly related to the conduct of the war. The demonstrations, which began spontaneously on Thursday after Fedorov was removed from his post, have entered a fifth day, according to reports from RFI and France 24.

Coverage Comparison

France 24 reported that thousands of protesters gathered in the capital on Friday, the second day of demonstrations, with many carrying Ukrainian flags and placards expressing support for Fedorov. The outlet noted that Fedorov had clashed with the army's top commander during his barely six months in the post, as he sought to digitise and modernise an army fatigued after four years of fighting off the Russian invasion.

RFI's coverage, meanwhile, highlighted the deepening political crisis, noting that hundreds of demonstrators gathered again in central Kyiv on Monday to demand Fedorov's return and the removal of Ukraine's commander-in-chief, Oleksandr Syrsky. The outlet said the crowds were smaller than during the weekend, following another wave of Russian attacks, but protesters said they intended to continue until the government responded to their demands.

Both outlets framed the protests as a significant challenge for Zelensky, with RFI describing them as presenting the president with one of his most urgent domestic political challenges since Russia launched its full-scale invasion. France 24's coverage emphasised the rivalry between Fedorov and Syrsky, while RFI's reporting focused on the demands for military leadership overhaul.

Key Claims

According to France 24 and RFI, the demonstrations began spontaneously on Thursday after Fedorov was removed from his post. The protests have grown over several days, with thousands taking part in the capital, carrying handmade cardboard signs, singing the national anthem, and chanting calls for Syrsky to step down.

Fedorov, who had been in the post for about six months, had repeatedly clashed with Syrsky during his efforts to digitise and modernise the army, France 24 reported. The minister had boosted military salaries and introduced game-like reward systems for units that kill the most Russian soldiers. A day after being forced to resign, Fedorov accused Syrsky of dividing the country, criticising slow bureaucracy and a lack of flexibility, and questioning whether Ukraine could defeat Russia with Syrsky in charge of the army.

Zelensky lamented the poor relations between the two men, saying, "A president in wartime should not have to choose in such a situation, honestly. I would very much like unity," as quoted by France 24.

Syrsky published a rare and lengthy article in the Ukrainian military outlet Militarnyi defending his record, according to RFI. The outlet also reported that Ukrainian media and political analysts said discussions had focused on whether Fedorov could return to government and whether Syrsky should remain commander-in-chief. A presidential spokesperson said no decision was expected on Monday.

Following Fedorov's removal, Zelensky announced he had appointed Yevgeniy Khmara, head of Ukraine's SBU security service, as acting defence minister, France 24 reported. Around a thousand people protested Fedorov's removal in Kyiv on Thursday, with protests also occurring in other cities.

Perspectives

Protesters: Demonstrators in Kyiv, including Anastasiia Starodubtseva, 25, said they would not leave until the government responded to their demands. "You can ask everyone here – we will not leave. We will stay until something changes," she said, according to RFI.

President Zelensky: Zelensky expressed a desire for unity, stating that a wartime president should not have to choose between the defence minister and the commander-in-chief, as reported by France 24. He has spent several days holding meetings with senior advisers and military commanders to find a solution that avoids widening divisions.

Mykhailo Fedorov: The former defence minister accused Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrsky of dividing the country and questioned his leadership, according to France 24.

Oleksandr Syrsky: The commander-in-chief defended his record in a rare and lengthy article published by the Ukrainian military outlet Militarnyi, as reported by RFI.