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Why were protesters outside Kyiv's Presidential Office?
Summary
A look back at the second day of demonstrations over the dismissal of Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov.
What drew protesters to the Presidential Office Building in Kyiv on 17 July 2026? Demonstrators gathered there for a second consecutive day, demanding the return of Mykhailo Fedorov as Minister of Defence.
The protests followed the decision on 15 July 2026 by President Zelensky to dismiss Fedorov from the post. That move prompted demonstrations in Ukraine.
On 17 July, the demands went beyond Fedorov's reinstatement. Protesters also called for the resignation of Oleksandr Syrskyi as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The gathering near the Presidential Office Building showed that public anger over the dismissal had not faded after the first day. The protests were centred on two named figures in Ukraine's defence leadership: one whose return was demanded, and one whose departure was sought.
