An action in support of Mykhailo Fedorov, who announced his departure from the post of Minister of Defense of Ukraine on the eve, began in the center of Lviv. Activists, volunteers, and concerned citizens gathered near the monument to Taras Shevchenko on Svobody Avenue, eyewitnesses report.
Rally participants hold posters with calls to keep the official in his post and express their disagreement with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's decision not to nominate Fedorov for the new government.
Wave of support and criticism of Zelenskyy's decision
The day before, Mykhailo Fedorov officially confirmed, that he is leaving his post as head of the defense department and publicly reported on his work results. This decision caused an instant reaction in society.
Military personnel, well-known volunteers, public figures, and some members of parliament came to the rally and openly criticized the personnel changes, emphasizing that reforms in the defense sector, digitalization of the army, and provision of the front must not stop.
Lviv is not the only city where people have taken to the streets. Similar solidarity actions and protests due to the decision of the Office of the President are currently taking place in Kyiv near the buildings of relevant departments, as well as in other major cities of Ukraine.
"We came here to show that the voice of society and the army matters. Fedorov managed to establish processes that had been stagnant for years. Now is not the time for political reshuffles in the Ministry of Defense," comments one of the coordinators of the Lviv rally.
As a reminder, in addition to street protests, the minister's supporters have resorted to legal tools. A petition to the President of Ukraine demanding that Mykhailo Fedorov remain in his post as Minister of Defense in the new government has been created online and is being actively disseminated. It is gathering thousands of signatures within hours.
Currently, activists in the center of Lviv continue to chant slogans in support of the former minister. The situation on Svobody Avenue is calm, with police officers maintaining law and order.
