Russian invasion Ukraine's response

Protesters rage after defense minister resigns: "Take back Fedorov"

Protests have broken out in several Ukrainian cities after the country's defense minister Mykhailo Fedorov was fired after just six months in office. According to Ukrainian Pravda, several hundred people have gathered near the government building in Kyiv.

The protesters hold up signs with messages such as "Take back Fedorov" and "Don't change something that works." Slogans such as "Shame!" and "Fedorov is our defense minister" can also be heard, according to the newspaper's reporter.

Fedorov is the latest minister to resign in Zelensky's reshuffle of the government. The move has drawn criticism from soldiers, veterans and civil society representatives who believe that Ukraine is losing one of its most effective leaders without any sensible explanation, writes Kyiv Independent.

It is unclear whether Fedorov will have any new role in Zelenskyy's government.

Expert: Not right to replace Fedorov - creates more chaos

Volodymyr Zelenskyy's decision to replace Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov after only six months is receiving criticism from several quarters.

Political analyst Volodymyr Fesenko tells the Kyiv Independent that Fedorov should be allowed to stay to complete the reforms he has already started.

- I don't think it is right to replace the Defense Minister every six months. There are no fundamental objections to Fedorov. Another replacement - regardless of who takes over - would only create even more chaos, says Fesenko.

According to the official explanation, Fedorov is leaving as part of a larger restructuring of the Ukrainian government. However, sources to Ukrainian Pravda state that the real reason is a conflict between Fedorov and the country's commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrskyj – something Zelenskyj could no longer tolerate.

Former energy CEO becomes new prime minister in Ukraine

Ukrainian parliament has appointed Serhiy Koretsky as new prime minister, Ukrainian media reports.

Koretsky is the former CEO of the state energy company Naftogaz. He succeeds Yulia Svyrydenko, who left this weekend in connection with a major restructuring of Volodymyr Zelensky's government.

Koretsky was approved by a large majority – 289 voted in favor, one against, seven abstained and 21 members did not participate, writes Kyiv Independent.

Zelensky's latest reshuffle has received a lot of attention. Not least after the popular defense minister Mykhailo Fedorov was forced to leave after only six months.