For the first occasion since last summer’s demonstrations supporting Ukraine’s anti-corruption agencies, citizens have mobilised online following the removal of Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. A surge of social media activity quickly evolved into calls for gatherings across Ukrainian cities on Thursday.
The popularity of Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov within civil society is clearly demonstrated by the organised, uncommon wartime protest aiming to defend and back him.
ADVERTISEMENT 
ADVERTISEMENT
These calls for protest arose on social networks almost immediately after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the dismissal of Fedorov on Wednesday night.
Indignation on social media swiftly transformed into arrangements for demonstrations across major cities at 09:01 on Thursday, right after the national minute of silence honoring fallen Ukrainian soldiers and civilians.
This marks the first event since last summer’s protests in favor of Ukraine’s anti-corruption bodies when online mobilization once again manifested on the streets, with participants channeling their discontent directly toward Zelenskyy’s decision.
Dmytro Koziatynskyi, a war veteran and prominent organiser of last summer’s large-scale protests supporting NABU and SAPO, posted on social media: “The defence minister is being replaced amid effective—finally effective!—reforms, switched out for someone under whom any hope for reform must be discarded,» referring to Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko, who is expected to succeed Fedorov.
“I urge all concerned citizens to come tomorrow at 9:01 a.m. to Franko Square to demonstrate against the ongoing reshuffles within the government and the replacement of capable ministers with convenient opportunists.”
“Defeat of Russia is impossible while our army and ministries remain mired in the same stagnation and corruption,” Koziatynskyi emphasized.
On July 16, the deputy commander of Ukraine’s Air Force, Pavlo Yelizarov, announced his resignation, asserting that the dismissal of Fedorov—whose key focus was reforming air defence—would result in increased casualties and destruction caused by Russian missile and drone strikes.
«I consider the removal of M. Fedorov to be a significant setback for the national defence capacity,» Yelizarov expressed on Facebook alongside his resignation letter.
Other influential figures within the military and civil society supported this stance.
Serhii Sternenko, a well-known Ukrainian activist and blogger who advised Fedorov on drone warfare, described “Mykhailo Fedorov as the most effective Minister of Defence in our history” and labeled his dismissal “the greatest demoralization since the conflict began.”
Ukraine’s ‘cardboard revolution’
As online mobilisation gained momentum, Ukrainians shared slogans for makeshift placards drawn on cardboard pieces. Most contributors urged Zelenskyy to reconsider and retain Fedorov in office.
Examples of signs circulated online include “The people defend the defence minister”, “More accomplished in six months than others do in two years”, and “You dismissed the wrong person”.
Multiple sources indicate Zelenskyy’s decision came after a dispute between Fedorov and Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi.
Tensions arose regarding Fedorov’s proposed military reforms, particularly about Defence Ministry operations.
The conflict has been described as a generational confrontation between a young, innovative leader with a startup background and a traditional military general.
Many Ukrainians expressed their anger toward Syrskyi, who remains in his post, accusing the president of sacrificing a well-regarded defence minister during a crucial phase of the war.
Upon confirming his dismissal on Wednesday evening, Fedorov shared a summary of his team’s main successes and setbacks over six months in office.
Regarding “failures,” he noted the organisational transformation of the Ministry of Defence to align with NATO standards and “common sense” was not fully accomplished.
“The new structure is in place, and many positions have been eliminated,” he said, adding that “numerous processes have been initiated.»
“Nevertheless, a more decisive approach was needed to remove those obstructing reforms.”