Thousands protest ouster of Ukrainian defence minister as Zelenskyy shakes up government

(16 Jul 2026) RESTRICTION SUMMARY: ASSOCIATED PRESS Kyiv, Ukraine - 16 July 2026 1. People in a rally holding placards, and flags 2. Boy holding placard reading (Ukrainian) "Bring Fedorov back" 3. People in a rally holding placards, and flags 4. Woman holding placard reading (Ukrainian/English) "Syrskyi out! Fedorov to MOD (Ministry of Defense)!" 5. Protesters holding placards, clapping, and chanting 6. SOUNDBITE (Ukrainian) Andriy, army veteran and protester: ++QUALITY AS INCOMING++ "In my opinion, Fedorov is a completely new kind of leader, of a completely new level, and at the same time he is very, very successful. He doesn’t need to prove anything to anyone. His projects, which he undertook, generally prove this, unlike, say, the leadership of our Armed Forces, unfortunately, which so far prove the opposite. And everyone sees this too. And most importantly, we see it. And so there is a choice here, either we go forward and win, or we stagnate, or we go back, and then defeat is very possible.” 7. Woman with placard reading (Ukrainian) "Shame on you! Don't touch the only effective minister, Fedorov, you demons! Syrskyi out!" 8. Placard reading (Ukrainian) "Army needs changes, not convenient ministers" 9. Placards reading (Ukrainian) "Transparency changes the state" "Fedorov to MOD!" 10. SOUNDBITE (Ukrainian) Hana Lenska, protester: "I can’t say that I was enthusiastic when he was appointed, that I expected anything. But with his appointment, as a person who loves his country very much and lives in this country, I saw the light at the end of the tunnel. And I realized that, perhaps, I will see the end of the war perhaps. And, perhaps, even, by the end of the year, I really want it, we will see more of Moscow burning and Moscow will be on the territory of all of Russia." 11. Various of woman writing on placard (Ukrainian) "Fedorov is our hope" STORYLINE: Protesters gathered in Kyiv on Thursday after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed popular Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov from his role. They were seen holding signs, banners and chanting in the demonstration in the Ukrainian capital. Fedorov was considered an innovator of the country’s successful drone technology but clashed with the traditional military establishment. In making the changes, Zelenskyy cited friction between Fedorov and Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi, the commander of Ukraine’s armed forces. The moves threw Ukraine’s military leadership into an unwelcome crisis at a time when its actions against Russia are starting to bear fruit and as Moscow has unleashed unrelenting aerial attacks. The personnel overhaul, which also included replacing his prime minister, could become a test of Zelenskyy’s political authority as Ukraine’s fight against Russia’s full-scale invasion approaches 4½ years. AP Video by Dan Bashakov. Dmytro Zhyhinas =========================================================== Clients are reminded to adhere to all listed restrictions and to check the terms of their licence agreements. For further assistance, please contact the AP Archive on: Tel +44(0)2074827482 Email: [email protected]. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...