‘Shame!’: Why Ukrainians are protesting against President Zelenskyy during war with Russia | World News

Thousands of Ukrainians took to the streets in Kyiv and other cities on Thursday after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy moved to remove Defence Miner Mykhailo Fedorov, triggering one of the biggest political crises of his wartime presidency and exposing a rare public rift within Ukraine’s military leadership. The demonstrations came as parliament approved a new government, while Zelenskyy stopped short of naming Fedorov’s successor.More than 1,000 protesters gathered outside Zelenskyy’s office in Kyiv, chanting “Shame!” and carrying placards reading “For what?” and “The Russians are celebrating”, news agency Reuters reported. Similar demonstrations were held in Dnipro, Odesa and other cities, marking one of the largest public protests since last year’s anti-corruption demonstrations that forced Zelenskyy to reverse course on controversial legislation.

“Bring Fedorov back!” & “Shame!” echoed through #Kyiv as hundreds protested #Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s move to replace Defence Miner Mykhailo Fedorov.
The protest came as Parliament approved #SerhiiKoretskyi as Ukraine’s new PM in a major govt reshuffle.… pic.twitter.com/6YcLx0Rpoy
— Salar News (@EnglishSalar) July 16, 2026
The unrest comes at a critical stage of the war, with Ukraine facing relentless Russian missile attacks even as its military has gained momentum through long-range drone strikes targeting Russia’s logics and energy infrastructure. Overnight, Russian missile strikes on Kyiv killed two people and injured five others, including a child, according to Ukrainian authorities, Reuters reported.
Popular reformer leaves after just six months
Fedorov, 35, is widely regarded as one of Ukraine’s leading modernisers. Before taking over the Defence Minry earlier this year, he served as miner for digital transformation, helping build Ukraine’s internationally recognised e-governance platforms and spearheading the rapid expansion of the country’s drone warfare programme, news agency Associated Press reported.
During his six months as defence miner, he accelerated drone procurement, pushed technology-driven military reforms and sought to modernise defence purchasing in a bid to help Ukraine offset Russia’s larger military. Western officials and analysts have credited those efforts with improving Ukraine’s battlefield performance, AP reported.
People protest against Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s decision to replace Mykhailo Fedorov as defence miner. (REUTERS)
Public feud with army chief spills into the open
Hours after his dismissal became public, Fedorov revealed he had rejected an offer from Zelenskyy to serve as a presidential adviser and launched an unusually direct attack on Ukraine’s commander-in-chief, General Oleksandr Syrskyi.
“Instead of working out how to defeat Russia … he has figured out how to split the country,” Fedorov told reporters, accusing Syrskyi of blocking minry reforms and failing to resolve internal disputes, Reuters reported.
Syrskyi responded urging officials to remain focused on the war, while appearing to mock Fedorov’s criticism.Story continues below this ad
“And now in this city, briefings can be held, visions can be developed, and decisions can be made,” the general said, referring to Kyiv’s security after Russia’s failed attempt to seize the capital in 2022, according to Reuters.
Asked about the dispute, Zelenskyy declined to side with either man.
“The president is not supposed to pick sides in this kind of situation during wartime,” he said.
“I would very much like unity. The sides did not find it,” Reuters reported.Story continues below this ad
Air force commander resigns in protest
The political turmoil deepened after Pavlo Yelizarov, deputy commander of Ukraine’s Air Force and a senior figure in the country’s drone warfare programme, resigned in protest over Fedorov’s dismissal.
Calling the decision “a great evil” for Ukraine’s defence capability, Yelizarov warned that removing Fedorov would weaken Ukraine’s ability to defend itself against Russia’s escalating missile and drone attacks, AP reported.
Why Ukrainians are protesting
Many protesters said Fedorov had become a symbol of military modernisation at a time when Ukraine faces mounting battlefield and manpower challenges.
“We’re in favour of an upgrade—not a downgrade,” one protester told Reuters, describing Fedorov as an effective manager who had delivered tangible results. Others demanded that Syrskyi — not Fedorov — should leave his post.Story continues below this ad
Supporters argue Fedorov’s efforts to reform defence procurement and overhaul the minry challenged entrenched interests within Ukraine’s military establishment. Critics, however, say he did not move quickly enough on long-promised recruitment reforms, according to AP.

🚨🇺🇦BREAKING: Mass protests against Zelensky’s regime have just erupted in Kyiv!
Ukrainians have taken to the streets, demanding an end to forced mobilization, corruption, and the war.
They want free elections, a normal country, and a government that answers to its people.…
— Mario ZNA (@MarioBojic) July 16, 2026
Government reshuffle comes at a critical stage of the war
The protests unfolded as Ukraine’s parliament approved former Naftogaz chief Serhii Koretskyi as the country’s new prime miner, Reuters reported. Zelenskyy has described the reshuffle as necessary to “renew” the government and prepare the country for another winter of Russian attacks on its energy infrastructure.
Parliament also reappointed Finance Miner Serhii Marchenko, but appointments for the defence and foreign minries were deferred because those positions require presidential nominations. Lawmakers are expected to revisit the issue when parliament reconvenes next month, Reuters reported.
The Kremlin said it was closely monitoring the developments, Reuters added.
For many Ukrainians, however, the reshuffle has become far more than a cabinet change. The rare street protests, the public feud between Ukraine’s defence miner and military chief, and the resignation of a senior Air Force commander have turned the episode into one of the most significant political tests of Zelenskyy’s wartime leadership.
(With inputs from Reuters and AP)