UKRAINE PROTESTS AFTER ZELENSKY REMOVES DEFENCE MINISTER FEDOROV

Large protests erupted in several Ukrainian cities on Thursday against President Volodymyr Zelensky's removal of defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov. More than a thousand people gathered in a central square in Kyiv, singing the national anthem, waving Ukrainian and EU flags, and chanting demands for Fedorov's reinstatement. Fedorov announced his departure late on Wednesday as part of a government reshuffle ordered by Zelensky. The air force's deputy commander resigned in protest, describing Fedorov's removal as "a great evil" for Ukraine's defence.

Fedorov had held the defence post for six months and developed a reputation as a moderniser attempting to reform the Ukrainian military. The armed forces have been engaged in conflict with Russia for more than four years. According to one account, Ukraine currently occupies one of its strongest positions in the war for months, having halted the pace of Russian advances and conducting long-range drone strikes against oil and military sites within Russia.

The demonstrations represent rare wartime protests in Ukraine. Demonstrators across multiple cities called for Fedorov's reappointment to his ministerial role. Zelensky has not publicly commented on the scale or nature of public opposition to the personnel change.