Veterans Give Zelensky Until July 24 to Make Defence Appointments, Threaten Open-Ended Protests

Veterans of the war with Russia and the organizers of protests that began in Kyiv on July 16 said they will wait until July 24 for President Volodymyr Zelensky to make personnel decisions concerning the leadership of Ukraine’s defence ministry. The demand, posted on social media by former combat medic Dmytro Kozyatynskyi and lawyer Masi Nayem, calls on the president to address the crisis that has convulsed public debate and prompted demonstrations in several Ukrainian cities.

In a Facebook post quoted by organizers, Kozyatynskyi wrote: «Президент створив цю кризу і має її вирішити. Він сказав, що чує суспільство, яке вийшло на акції протесту. До пʼятниці, 24 липня, чекаємо відповідних рішень: 2. Подати Михайла Федорова на посаду міністра оборони Якщо їх не буде – ми анонсуємо безстрокову акцію протесту». The message makes clear that protest leaders expect Zelensky to act before the stated deadline and that they plan to escalate to an open-ended protest if he does not.

Masi Nayem published a statement of similar content, arguing that the president’s decisions — including the dismissal of Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi and the nomination of Mykhailo Fedorov for defence minister — could and should be made by Zelensky himself rather than deferred to military headquarters. In his post Nayem wrote: «Кризу створило рішення президента без Ставки. Чому її мають вирішити на Ставці – мені не зрозуміло. Бо звільнення Сирського і подання на міністра Федорова президент може (зробити) сам». He added that July 24 would be decisive, after which the protest would become indefinite.

The demonstrations were triggered by media reports that Zelensky would not include Fedorov in his new government’s list of ministerial nominees. Fedorov later confirmed his resignation as defence minister and publicly criticized Syrskyi, disputing current systems of command and arguing that changes in management meant the country could no longer rely on past approaches. The commander-in-chief did not reply directly to Fedorov’s criticism, instead urging colleagues and the public to «зосередитися на війні» — to concentrate on the war.

The standoff has highlighted broader tensions over civilian oversight of military appointments and the process by which senior defence officials are selected and removed during wartime. Protesters in Kyiv, Lviv and other cities have called for accountability from both political and military leaders, and some demonstrators have demanded Syrskyi’s resignation. State-level discussions reportedly include the possibility of removing Syrskyi, according to media reports, and the president has said publicly that he hears what protesters are saying and that decisions will follow.

Officials and participants have framed the dispute as a question of governance and responsibility during an active conflict. Fedorov told supporters that «діалог є» and that changes would be made, indicating some engagement between the parties. Meanwhile, the General Staff has publicly addressed aspects of the controversy, and military leaders have continued to stress operational priorities as the country faces ongoing hostilities.

The next week will be closely watched for signs that the president will move to resolve the impasse. If the July 24 deadline passes without the nominations or dismissals the protesters demand, organizers have pledged to begin an indefinite protest, raising the prospect of sustained public demonstrations that could intensify political pressure on Zelensky’s administration. The outcome will have implications for civilian control of military leadership and for public confidence in Ukraine’s wartime governance.