Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is under pressure after a fifth day of protests over his sacking of popular and youthful Defence Minister Mykhailo Federov.
Protesters demand reinstatement
The 35-year-old 'tech' expert's sacking has sparked anger across Ukraine since he is thought to have led and revolutionised Ukraine's defence with considerable success. It has led to one of the biggest political crises Zelensky has faced throughout the four years of war with the Kremlin, whose invasion was launched in February 2022.
Crowds of largely young people gathered in Kyiv and across Ukrainian cities brandishing posters carrying 'hands off Fedorov' slogans. Others screamed 'stop sabotaging victory' as Federov is credited with modernising Ukraine's military, catching it up with technological breakthroughs.
Fedorov's achievements
He decentralised the military structure, leading it to become quicker to react to changing battle conditions and is largely behind the drone revolution. His encouraging the heavy use of drones has revolutionised modern-day fighting and his sacking has outraged Ukrainian society. He was the first to promote the idea of introducing artificial intelligence to warfare against Kremlin forces and has increased wages for frontline troops. It is also believed he has become enormously popular among Ukraine's embattled soldiers as he has boosted morale.
Fedorov said recently he had suggested to Zelensky that Syrskyi and Chief of the General Staff Andrii Hnatov should be replaced. Zelensky, speaking at a press conference with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, acknowledged that the conflict between the General Staff and the defence ministry had been 'systemic' and occurred 'at various levels.'
Zelensky's mediation attempt
He said that Syrskyi and Fedorov would only work together with his mediation. President Zelensky met some of Ukraine's top military commanders on Monday to try to ease growing discontent with war chiefs. Syrskyi, 60, is facing mounting criticism from civil society, soldiers and lawmakers for his Soviet-style command culture and high casualty tactics. Zelensky met five generals and one colonel to discuss the battlefield situation as fighting rages along more than 746 miles of frontline.
Federov said afterwards: 'When the president said he did not plan to replace Syrskyi, I... said I would learn to work with him.' But he added that 'all the initiatives we proposed were blocked.'
Ongoing crisis
These are the most sustained demonstrations and they come at a terrible time for the Kyiv leader - as Russia and Ukraine escalate cross-border missile attacks. It is believed Mr Zelensky is considering replacing Syrsky with Maj. Gen. Mykhailo Drapaty, the commander of Ukraine's Joint Forces Command.
Zelensky's crisis escalated as Moscow has launched an attack on a Ukraine-bound gas tanker near Romania's coast. Moscow has threatened to boost attacks on ships supplying Ukraine's military. Romanian president Nicusor Dan said the Liberian-flagged vessel sailing from Egypt to Ukraine was hit in an attack likely linked to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This year, Russian and Ukrainian drones have repeatedly breached the airspace and territorial waters of Romania, officials in the European Union and NATO member state neighbouring Ukraine insisted.
