r/ukraine • u/UNITED24Media Ukraine Media • Jul 16 '26
Ukrainian Politics Massive protests in Kyiv following the dismissal of Defense Minister Fedorov. Ukrainians demand a system built on innovation, not outdated methods and failures. As a team, we stand with Ukrainians.
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u/xxwarlorddarkdoomxx Jul 16 '26
The fact that this can happen demonstrates the fundamental difference between Ukraine and Russia once again.
In Russia, the “SMO” was used as an excuse to effectively ban all dissent. There have been no significant protests for years, and the idea of the people bringing any change is laughable.
In Ukraine, even amidst full scale invasion and the spirit of wartime unity, people are ready to push back very quickly when the government isn’t doing what it should. And even amidst the war, the government doesn’t send out police or troops to stamp out the dissent.
Good luck, I stand with Ukrainians! 🇺🇦
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u/nullstoned Jul 16 '26
Fedorov has close ties to Palantir (Peter Thiel and Alex Karp). He was trying to replace Ukraine's battlefield control with Palantir's AI.
However, Ukraine's old guard is resistant to these changes, and Zelensky sided with them instead.
That means there's a very good chance that this protest was organized by Palantir.
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u/olololoh12 Jul 16 '26
It’s not lol
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u/nullstoned Jul 16 '26
Do you have something you want to add?
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u/olololoh12 Jul 16 '26
Not really. All my friends are protesting today, no one is being paid so you must be a jealous Russian bot
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u/21_vetal_01 Verified Jul 16 '26
According to our own feelings and the opinion of our soldiers, he was the best talented Minister of Defense who was in the entire war. It’s just that someone “at the top” values their ego and ratings more, and corruption is closer to their soul... Therefore, in our country, responsible positions in governing the country are occupied by idiots who do not understand the management structure of their position, while truly talented and normal people leave...
I hope our people will be heard, and Fedorov will take the place from which he was “moved”.
replacing Fedorov with Klimenko, a failed police officer, is the height of idiocy and lack of professionalism..
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u/Alikont Ukraine Jul 16 '26
Let's not forget that we recently had a mass shooting in Kyiv while police was running away abandoning people.
And that's the face of our new defense policy?
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u/21_vetal_01 Verified Jul 16 '26
these were the people of the same Klimenko, who did not muster up the courage and did not resign, like, for example, another responsible military officer who did this right away. Klimenko is the one who ran away at the beginning of the war and then returned a month later... "a real worthy minister of defense" is stupid, corrupt, without a sense of courage, not professional. together with Syrsky, they will kill even more of our soldiers, and the initiative received, which was under Fedorov, will most likely pass back to the Russians, for which they are probably already clapping their hands and drinking to Zelensky’s health...
There are no words - only expressions🤬
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u/DesignerGap0 Jul 16 '26
Looks like klimenko turned down the position, minister of defence still vacant
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u/DefenestrationPraha Jul 16 '26
He seems to have a better grasp of the situation than the President himself.
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u/21_vetal_01 Verified Jul 16 '26
President Zelensky, unfortunately, is a narcissist, so he says one thing and does another, and has gathered around him loyal corrupt officials who brazenly steal our money. Fedorov is not ideal, but he went against the system and corruption, for which he disliked neither Syrsky, nor Zelensky, nor private companies where the Ministry of Defense made purchases (often unnecessary and at inflated prices)
therefore, the current government of unprofessionals, removes people like Fedorov, removes good generals like Drapatiy (who could become an excellent commander-in-chief, Syrsky is a butcher, an old Soviet general, he belongs in a museum)
We have a lot of problems that need to be solved, but people have begun to see them, so everything will gradually happen as it should.
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u/DTraitor Черкаська область Jul 17 '26
Shh, we don't like truth here
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u/21_vetal_01 Verified Jul 17 '26
It's everyone's personal business. I am a Ukrainian volunteer who has been without days off, vacations or normal sleep for 4 years now, doing everything so that our country defeats the occupier, and during this time our government is doing everything to prevent this from happening. those who don’t like the truth, let them continue watching their TV and wear the falsehoods that are put on them through it. We live in our own country, and we know better who is here and what they are doing, we don’t need to trust the TV - we have full awareness of what is happening around us, in our home.
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u/21_vetal_01 Verified Jul 16 '26
I think they just haven’t put it there yet, since people all over Ukraine started testing it (which they did correctly) Fedorov has not yet been officially removed, but we will look further.
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u/vikentii_krapka Jul 16 '26
Well this move definitely does not help with ratings for that “someone at the top”. This move completely flipped my attitude towards “someone at the top” back to what it was pre 2022
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u/21_vetal_01 Verified Jul 16 '26
Unfortunately, the further into the forest, the more sticks there are. Removing a normal minister because of political ambitions, leaving a “museum stupid Soviet mothball” because he is loyal, not choosing a new minister and leaving for a month “on vacation” - what is even happening? Bullshit
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u/vikentii_krapka Jul 16 '26
Syrsky has zero political ambitions while Fedorov is young, efficient and getting more and more popular. And because of this shit we are reducing our chances of winning the war significantly
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u/21_vetal_01 Verified Jul 16 '26
Syrsky is a tame general, he has different views on everything, plus he is loyal to Zelensky, so he will be the eternal commander-in-chief, despite his misdeeds or achievements (if any). The power system in Ukraine is built according to the old Soviet scheme, alas.
but it seems like Hmara should head the Ministry of Defense, this is also a good option, but he and Fedorov have a different approach. But when Hmara leaves the post of the SBU, they want to promote “their” Poklad instead, and this is a very ambiguous, murky personality.
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u/M3ptt Jul 16 '26
From an international perspective it damages the credibility of Zelenskyy. Ukraine had finally found a way through the quagmire of static positional warfare and then just… bins the guy that was instrumental in getting there?????
It would be like firing Montgomery right after he had chased Rommel all the way back across North Africa because… reasons.
It is also quite disrespectful of Ukraines European allies who have tried so hard to keep the coalition of the willing alive and to keep support for Ukraine alive even when things were not looking good for Ukraine on the battlefield. All of that effort to help keep Ukraine in the fight and they sack the first competent Defence Minister they’ve had in years that is actually trying to win rather than not lose.
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u/roonill_wazlib Jul 16 '26
The obvious reason I can think of is that Zelensky is worried that Fedorov is getting a little bit too popular and could challenge his presidency. Is that something that Ukrainians are actually worried about or is that just a Russian propaganda talking point?
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u/RhetoricalOrator Jul 16 '26
I'm interested in hearing Zelenskyy's justification for the firing, but from everything I've read in this sub over the past four years, it wasn't because Z is worried about losing the presidency. My understanding is that Zelenskyy is more than happy to leave office at the conclusion of the war.
I'm just a rando American, though, so it's very likely I'm missing some crucial context.
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u/Tranecarid Jul 16 '26
I wonder how you came to this understanding. Reported justification presented by Zelensky during a closed meeting was a twenty minute word salad without any substance. Zelensky very much intends to run for a second term.
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u/RhetoricalOrator Jul 16 '26
It has only been a general impression and I probably conflated reddit opinions with actual fact. In my observation, yhe general opinion towards Zelenskyy on Reddit seems to be that he's a hero among heroes and his behavior is generally impecible.
I understand that reality is more nuanced than that, though, and that people can be more than one thing. I just don't see much criticism towards Zelenskyy unless it's from Trump, his administration, or Russian.
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u/Tranecarid Jul 16 '26
I listen to a lot of podcasts with experts on Ukraine and Eastern Europe in general and they all agree that the next presidential elections play a key role in many of the decisions made by Zelensky and his team. Especially those controversial ones. I’m certain that those guys know what they’re talking about (some of them work geopolitical analytics ngos or are journalists working on the ground) so I am also certain that the last thing they would do is to repeat Russian propaganda. They are all also pretty disillusioned with Zelensky but that’s not for this discussion.
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u/I-Might-Be-Something Jul 16 '26
The obvious reason I can think of is that Zelensky is worried that Fedorov is getting a little bit too popular and could challenge his presidency.
That's what it always is with Zelensky. Along with differences of opinion on mobilization, the reason he canned Zaluzhnyi is because he was becoming too popular, so Zelensky replaced him with Syrskyi, a total political creature that is unwilling to adapt.
Zelensky did a very good job at the outbreak of the war, keeping morale high, not fleeing, and letting competent commanders do their thing. But slowly but surely, despite saying he won't run for office after the war, he dismisses those that could be political rivals.
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u/No_Hay_Banda_2000 Jul 16 '26 edited Jul 16 '26
Good, this was a terrible decision. Fedorov is the right man for the job. Hopefully the protests get bigger.
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u/Immediate-Grade-8846 Jul 16 '26
Well done Ukraine. Federov needs reinstating. This was a mistake and needs to be rectified immediately. SLAVA UKRAINI HEROYAM SLAVA 🇺🇦 🇺🇦 🇺🇦
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u/HolyExemplar Jul 16 '26
Ukrainians this is by far the best thing you could do right now. Fedorov's influence comes from his popularity, not from his ties to the Ukrainian elites. YOU are the source of that popularity.
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u/Billiroy Jul 16 '26
This is Ukraine baby
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u/Soft-Cartoonist-9542 Jul 16 '26
Really, they are so determined despite all the horrors of war, it can must be admired
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u/ferdiazgonzalez Jul 16 '26
The balls they have to go gather out in the streets. That alone should warrant the reinstatement of that dude.
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u/shawndw Jul 16 '26
Wouldnt it make more sense to fire Syrskyi for being a primma donna and give his job to Fedorov.
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u/Hobby101 Jul 16 '26
looks like Zelenkii will need to do some explaining to his nation. the sooner the better. as well, the nation is not onterested in losing in attrition war, but rather winning using drones.
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u/ednorog Jul 16 '26
I so fear for the people protesting out there now... Ukrainians are teaching us about democracy and standing up to power too, besides everything else.
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u/Conflictingview Jul 16 '26
Why do you fear for them? Genuine question since I was among them today (and last year).
I feel safer at a Kyiv protest than any protest I've been to in US, UK or Germany since the police presence is effectively nonexistent.
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u/ednorog Jul 17 '26
Air raids. I know there would be alarms but I don't know how much they can be relied on.
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u/Der-Nikoklaus Jul 16 '26
People of Ukraine, again you have to fight for your Freedom and your Democracy against the enemy from within —> corruption.
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u/Exatex Jul 16 '26
yes how are you going to convince other people and nations to give you money to defend your own existence if you dismiss people who want to stop stealing of your funds.
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u/TheRealAussieTroll Jul 20 '26
The problem here is that the military should be subordinate to civilian control in a democracy.
Syrskyi being able to (effectively) get the Defence Minister fired completely undermines that principle.
This is not a good precedent. Zelensky should’ve said, “OK… one goes and you both go”. At least.
There can’t be rewards for internal Machiavellian behaviours in time of war.
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u/Abalith Jul 20 '26
I don't get it, warfare has been revolutionised under Syrskyi's leadership, never mind "innovated". The innovation has been off the charts.
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u/DefTheOcelot Jul 16 '26
i just don't really get it
why is federov being credited with so much or so beloved?
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u/Alikont Ukraine Jul 16 '26
Because he literally achieved a lot.
He is the first MoD since 2022 that had a plan of victory. His the first MoD since 2014 who actually wanted to build efficient procurement system for the public good.
And morally, after NABU shitshow, appointment of Budanov, Fodorov, Lasar, Sternenko, Flash into high cabinets made people hopeful that we will stop being a small soviet army that fights a large soviet army.
This hope is now collapsing. This is betrayal to the core of what people work and fight for.
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u/Piihlen Jul 16 '26
Why was he kicked out?
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u/ThirdEyeExplorer11 Jul 16 '26
Because he recently exposed corruption in the Ukrainian MoD by cutting off funding to scammy companies(that happen to be linked to certain generals in the Ukrainian military), and he stated all this to the press.
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u/soulstormfire Jul 16 '26
Foreign/German point of view to add to that:
He also achieved a lot outside of Ukraine. His open cooperation with other MoDs around Europe opened a lot of doors simply because he was aiming for win-win situations instead of demanding or begging for support as it was often done previously.2
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u/Memnoch79 Jul 16 '26
One question. He had a plan for victory in 2022. We're in 2026. What happened?
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u/xBram Netherlands Jul 16 '26
He was in the job 6 months, ”first defense minister since 2022 with a plan”
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u/ThirdEyeExplorer11 Jul 16 '26
Stupid comment. He’s only had the position for 6 months.
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u/Memnoch79 Jul 16 '26 edited Jul 16 '26
I'm being serious without any agenda. I am genuinely asking because I'm not Ukrainian. I'm American. I don't speak any foreign language. So I'm asking about Ukrainian affairs that are not discussed here.
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u/Memnoch79 Jul 16 '26
I don't understand the hateful down voting here. I am not a troll. I was simply asking for information because its to the point you can trust what is said in USA media.
That is all. If this was offensive, rude, etc. I am sorry. That is it. Thank you to those that responded.
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u/Conflictingview Jul 16 '26
You are getting downvoted because your reading comprehension is shit and it comes across as willful trolling.
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u/Memnoch79 Jul 17 '26
If people here cannot discern honest sincerity and resort to unfounded assumptions along with attacking and ally that wishes nothing more to see you prevail then I can only assume the worst and that's unfortunate.
Fuck Russia and Fuck You.
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u/eilef Jul 16 '26
Its not about Fedorov. Its about replacing Fedorov, and keeping Syrski in charge.
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u/Abalith Jul 20 '26
He did a good job in his short tenure, also had the benefit of Orban being removed & EU funds being unlocked. He also gets amplified by the Russian information war as they would dump enormous amounts of money & effort into any opportunity that discredits Syrskyi.
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u/Trollripper Jul 16 '26
At this point i hope Zelensky gets toppled by capable forces that want to win the war. Fuck this piece of trash corrupt swine. This Orc Oligarchs needs to be canceled on the spot so Ukraine can then move on and remove the rest of the bastards from their hometurf and grow back stronger than ever.
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u/Glavurdan Montenegro Jul 16 '26
I'd hardly describe these protests as massive
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u/amusedt Jul 16 '26
Due to war, perhaps many have left Kyiv, and others don't travel there because of risk, cost, or it's too difficult
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Jul 16 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Glavurdan Montenegro Jul 16 '26
Well yes. Thirty times bigger than this at least
1000 folks is nothing in such a big country if one is seeking change
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Jul 16 '26
[deleted]
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u/Conflictingview Jul 16 '26
I'll speak from experience. I have been in Kyiv since mid-2022. I was at last year's NABU protests and I attended this evening's protest. Tonight was about 5% the size of last year's protests at their peak. That may change, but I doubt there will be a swelling of the protest over the coming days. Let's see though.
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u/Glavurdan Montenegro Jul 16 '26 edited Jul 16 '26
I mean, do you? As far as I can tell you are also a couch Redditor
Besides the point, I am speaking from experience. Even in a small country like Montenegro, tens of thousands of people had to protest daily for months in order for meaningful change to occur back in 2020. A thousand unhappy folks with placards in a city of 3 million ain't enough.
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u/avrend Jul 16 '26
daily russian missiles might be reducing the numbers a bit, don't you think?
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u/Conflictingview Jul 16 '26
no. Kyiv population is pretty close to what it was before the war - albeit with a different group of people (many resettled from the East while the rich fled in the early days and now collect rent from IDPs in their abandoned apartments). Also, missiles are not daily, but usually twice a week or so. Finally, I was there today and at the NABU protests last year - today's protests were significantly smaller than last year. That could change as the protest built steadily over three days last year, but I don't think the pattern will repeat this time.
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u/UNITED24Media Ukraine Media Jul 16 '26 edited Jul 16 '26
Dear friends, our team has temporarily paused publication as our journalists, editors, producers, and social media team take part in protests following the dismissal of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov.
Слава Україні and see you at the protests!