Ukraine: Ukrainians protest defense minister's dismissal in Lviv.

LVIV, UKRAINE - JULY 17, 2026: Ukrainian demonstrators gathered in Lviv on Friday, July 17, to protest President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's decision to remove Mykhailo Fedorov from his post as defense minister and to call for the dismissal of Oleksandr Syrskyi as commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov confirmed on Wednesday that he is stepping down from his post. Fedorov announced his resignation on US social media company Facebook, highlighting a series of military procurement and defense technology initiatives undertaken during his tenure. “It has been a great honor to serve the Ukrainian people as defense minister,” he said. His resignation comes amid reports of disagreements within Ukraine’s military leadership. According to Ukrainian lawmaker Yaroslav Zhelezniak, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told lawmakers from his Servant of the People party that Fedorov had a long-running conflict with Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi and the armed forces. Ukrainian media also claimed Zelenskyy had said that “ideally, both Fedorov and Syrskyi should be dismissed, but that he cannot do so now.” The reports also said Zelenskyy blamed Fedorov for failing to implement reforms of Ukraine’s territorial recruitment and social support centers, known as TCCs. Sources within the ruling parliamentary faction told Ukrainska Pravda that Fedorov would remain part of the president’s team, although his future role is expected to become clearer next week.