Protests have reignited with renewed intensity in central Kyiv on Saturday, July 18.
Around 10,000 people gathered in the square near the Ivan Franko National Academic Drama Theatre. The protesters demanded that technological reforms in the military continue and called for the immediate dismissal of Ukraine’s Commander-in-Chief, General Oleksandr Syrsky.
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Following the first mass demonstration involving several thousand people demanding the reinstatement of Mykhailo Fedorov to the Ministry of Defense, the focus of the protests has shifted somewhat over the past two days.
After Fedorov’s remarks about Syrsky, whom he alleged had, together with the military bureaucracy, blocked the reforms and changes that Fedorov had sought to implement, members of the military began supporting the protests.
Fedorov’s Dismissal – European Media Assessment
Hundreds of service members have since openly criticized what they describe as the military’s outdated practices on social media. For them, Syrsky – 59, and widely perceived as representing the classical military doctrine of the 20th century – has come to symbolize that approach.
People call to stop the “sovok” (old-soviet style of rule) and proceed with reforms headed by Fedorov.
Protestors view Syrsky as a conservative figure who, in their opinion, is slowing reforms and preventing younger officers from advancing through the ranks.
The difference from previous days is that now many veterans are taking part in the protests.
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