Protests erupt across Ukraine as Zelensky sacks popular Defence Minister Fedorov

Large protests erupted in several Ukrainian cities on July 16 after President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. Fedorov, appointed only six months ago, had built a reputation as a reformer seeking to modernise the Ukrainian military. Zelensky cited a conflict between Fedorov and army commander Oleksandr Syrskyi as the reason for the dismissal.