On the evening of July 15, it became public that now-ex-Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov was losing his position, social networks flooded with calls to keep him in government and criticism of the dismissal. Entrepreneurs, military personnel, activists, volunteers and others publicly defended Fedorov.
On the morning of July 16, protests took place in several Ukrainian cities
, with participants gathering with hand-painted cardboards to express their concerns over the government's announcements.
However, the protests are not only about one person – what began as a reaction to one dismissal quickly developed into a wider discussion about accountability, transparency and decision-making in Ukraine's defence sector during wartime.
To learn more about why civil society and military communities rose around Fedorov's case and why Ukrainians demanded answers from authorities, read our Why Ukrainians Rose to Defend Their Defence Minister.
The protest movement quickly expanded beyond the question of Fedorov's dismissal.
While the initial focus was on restoring Fedorov to the position of Defence Minister, public discussion increasingly turned toward broader concerns: the slogan "Bring back Fedorov" was joined by another demand: "Dismiss Syrskyi".
This shift showed that the protests were not only about one official but also about wider expectations regarding military management and the future of Ukraine's defence strategy.
Veterans and military observers expressed concerns about excessive centralisation, usually associated with practices more common in Soviet times, and decisions that could fail to prioritise the preservation of personnel.
At the same time, Ukrainian society criticised Syrskyi's actions and methods, but also remembers his extensive battlefield experience and key wartime achievements, including the defence of Kyiv in 2022, the stabilisation of Kharkiv, and the liberation of parts of the Kharkiv Oblast.
On the evening of July 21, the government has already responded to one of the street's two main demands: Oleksandr Syrskyi has been removed from the position of Commander-in-Chief.
For our supporters, we also examine why Zelenskyy decided to replace Syrskyi and the broader military and political context behind this dismissal.
On the evening of July 21, the President of Ukraine appointed new Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine – Mykhailo Drapatyi
. This move was presented as part of a broader effort to reshape the structure and leadership of Ukraine's military.
The announcement followed several days of consultations with military commanders of Ukrainian military units and formations, including those directly responsible for operations on the battlefield.
The appointment of Drapatyi was announced together with a wider restructuring of the General Staff, developed in cooperation with Drapatyi, Yevhenii Khmara and Pavlo Palisa. Zelenskyy also emphasised the importance of a proper transition of responsibilities, thanking Syrskyi and other commanders for their service and Ukraine's current position on the battlefield.
A graduate of the Kharkiv Institute of Tank Troops, Drapatyi has spent more than a decade commanding frontline units. He first gained national recognition in Mariupol in 2014 and became known as a battlefield commander who led from the front.
One of the moments that made Drapatyi widely known was in Mariupol in 2014, when footage showing him driving in an infantry fighting vehicle through a barricade set up by Russian-backed forces
became one of the most recognisable images of the early phase of the Russian war.
Drapatyi served in several frontline positions, including commanding units of the 72nd Mechanised Brigade, helping Ukrainian forces break out of difficult situations near Izvaryne, and later leading formations involved in battles around Avdiivka, Yasynuvata, and Toretsk. After Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022, he commanded Ukrainian forces in the south, helping stop Russia's advance toward Kryvyi Rih and taking part in operations that contributed to the liberation of parts of Kherson Oblast.
In 2025, after a Russian strike on a military training ground that resulted in the deaths of Ukrainian soldiers, Drapatyi submitted his resignation as commander of the Ground Forces. The incident was not because of his own failures, still, his decision was an example of a commander accepting responsibility for what happened under his command.
Before becoming Commander-in-Chief, Drapatyi held several key positions, including Commander of the Ground Forces, Commander of the Kharkiv operational grouping, and Commander of the "Khortytsia" operational-strategic grouping. In 2024, he was among the commanders who helped organise the defence of the Kharkiv Oblast and stop Russia's attempt to break through in the area.
For many Ukrainians and members of the military community, Drapatyi represents expectations of a different leadership culture: one based on frontline experience, personal accountability and trust between commanders and soldiers.
However, the role of Commander-in-Chief comes with enormous pressure. Drapatyi and his team will face the challenge not only of meeting these expectations but also of maintaining public and military trust during one of the most difficult periods of the war.
Ukraine's leadership responded to one of the protesters' demands, but the broader debate is far from over. Next moves will be closely monitored by Ukrainian society and international partners. Whether Mykhailo Fedorov returns, takes another position, or is replaced by another candidate could reveal how the government intends to balance political decisions, public expectations and the need for effective governance in the time of war.
This publication was compiled with the support of the International Renaissance Foundation. It's content is the exclusive responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily reflect the views of the International Renaissance Foundation.
