Protest in Kyiv, Ukraine demanding reinstatement of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov
Monday’s Coverage: Kyiv Strikes Near Moscow
EA-Ukraine VideoCast: Will Kyiv’s Political Turmoil Undermine Its Success v. Russia?
UPDATE 0727 GMT:
Ukraine’s latest drone strikes have hit an industrial zone near Lipetsk in southwest Russia, an industrial park in the Leningrad region in the northwest, and a fuel depot in occupied Mariupol.
Lipetsk, Russia, a fire broke out near the CHP plant.
— MAKS 26 (@maks23.bsky.social) July 21, 2026 at 7:15 AM
UPDATE 1223 GMT:
At least 10 civilians were murdered and 87 injured by Russian attacks on seven Ukrainian regions over the past day.
Air defenses downed 46 of 58 drones launched by Russia overnight. Eight UAVs hit seven locations.
In the Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine, four people were killed and 13 injured.
In the neighboring Kharkiv region, two civilians were murdered and 15 injured, including a 13-year-old.
In the Odesa region in the south, three people were slain and eight wounded by a Russian attack on a civilian factory.
In the Zaporizhzhia region, one person was killed and 16 injured.
Casualties were also reported from the Sumy, Kherson, and Chernihiv regions.
ORIGINAL ENTRY: Protesters have issued a Friday deadline for Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky to reinstate Mykhailo Fedorov, dismissed as Defense Minister last Wednesday.
Demonstrators are also seeking the removal of military commander-in-chief Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi, whose dispute with Fedorov sparked the Defense Minister’s dismissal.
Thousands of protesters have gathered in central Kyiv and in other Ukrainian cities since last Thursday. Organizers indicated on Monday that they will pause the demonstrations for Zelensky to act before the Friday deadline.
Claims are circulating that Zelensky will soon remove Gen. Syrskyi.
Two “sources familiar with the matter” said Joint Forces chief Mykhailo Drapatyi could replace Syrskyi. One official Zelensky is choosing from a list of 11 potential candidates.
Zelensky offered Fedorov another role focused on military technology and modernization of the Defense Ministry, but is only willing to return as Defense Minister.
Fedorov, who took office in January, is widely credited for innovations helping Ukraine move from defense to counter-attack against Russia’s invasion. However, his focus on technology clashed with Syrskyi’s focus on manpower and a highly-centralized command structure. The commander-in-chief claimed he was being deprived of resources for the frontline, but Fedorov said those resources were being wasted.
