Demonstrators protest President Volodymyr Zelensky’s firing of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, Kyiv, Ukraine, July 16, 2026
EA-Times Radio VideoCast: Ukraine Brings The War to Russia’s Doorstep
Thursday’s Coverage: Zelensky Dismisses Popular Defense Minister Fedorov
UPDATE 0635 GMT:
Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces struck another 12 Russian shadow fleet vessels overnight: nine dry cargo ships, one tanker, one gas tanker, and one tugboat.
Trying to cut off Russian-occupied Crimea, Ukraine has hit 159 vessels since July 6, 117 in the Sea of Azov and 42 in the Black Sea.
UPDATE 0550 GMT:
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed Tymur Tkachenko as head of the Kyiv City Military Administration on Thursday.
No reason was given. Tkachenko had been head of the Kyiv Administration since late 2025.
UPDATE 0533 GMT:
Two civilians were murdered and at least eight injured, including children, by Russia’s missile strike on Odesa in southern Ukraine on Thursday night.
Residential buildings, a religious institution, a pre-school, cars, and other civilian infrastructure was damaged.
On Wednesday, three people were killed and at least six wounded by a Russian missile attack on a multi-story apartment building in the city.
She was walking through an Odesa park with her children when the Russian missile struck
Two people were killed in the attack on Odesa, Ukraine's Ministry of Interior said. One was a mother, out in a park with her kids. The children lived, she did not.
At least seven other… pic.twitter.com/iJcCGZbqI7
— Euromaidan Press (@EuromaidanPress) July 17, 2026
ORIGINAL ENTRY: Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky is under domestic pressure over his firing of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov on Wednesday.
More than 1,000 people gathered in central Kyiv on Thursday to protest the removal of Fedorov. Demonstrators gathered in other cities across the country.
Taking office in January, Fedorov implemented innovations which many credit for turning the tide of the Kremlin’s invasion and enabling counter-attacks against Russia and Russian-occupied territory.
Fedorov and legislators said he was removed because of a conflict with military commander-in-chief Gen. Oleksandr Syrski. The general objected to Fedorov’s emphasis on a technology-centered military system and claimed that equipment was not provided for specific operations.
Fedorov said rejected Zelensky’s offer to become a Presidential advisor or to remain on his staff with unspecified duties.
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In Kyiv, protesters held signs and chanted, “Bring back Fedorov”, “Shame”, “Resign Syrsky”, and — in a reference to Fedorov’s innovations — “Let Him Cook”. UNITED24 Media and the war monitor Deep State both suspended their work to join the demonstrations.
The Kyiv Independent headlined a lengthy editorial, “By Sacking Fedorov, Zelensky Risks Turning Tide of War Back in Russia’s Favor”.
Ukraine wants a secure peace, but that can only be achieved by continuing to push the needle, protect the lives of its own soldiers, and tighten the screws on Moscow.
Ousting the person making this happen in real time is a grave mistake.
Zelensky still has a chance to undo this damaging decision — or watch the country pay a tragically high price for his mistake.
Russian military bloggers celebrated the development, calling Fedorov “far too smart and effective an enemy”.
Commentator Aleksei Zhivov posted, “Overall, it’s very good that Zelensky removed him from command of the army….Things should get easier now.”
Military blogger Svyatoslav Golikov said the “achievements of Fedorov’s team” at the Defense Ministry had a “significant impact” on Russia’s armed forces.
