Zelenskyy Appoints New Defense Minister Amid Protests Over Army Chief

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appointed Yevheniy Khmara as the new defense minister following a wave of instability within Ukraine's military leadership. The move comes as thousands of protesters gathered outside the presidential office in Kyiv for five days, demanding the removal of commander in chief Oleksandr Syrskyi and the reinstatement of former defense minister Mykhailo Federov.

Federov, whom Zelenskyy sacked last Thursday, triggered the unrest by accusing Syrskyi of ignoring critical data and utilizing bureaucratic impediments to block necessary reforms. While the general staff initially denied reports that Syrskyi would be sacked on Monday, chief of staff Kyrylo Budanov indicated the government has acknowledged the public's position.

Zelenskyy has begun meeting with potential replacements for the army chief, including Mykhailo Drapatiy. Protest organizers have established a Friday deadline for the reinstatement of Federov, threatening to launch a general indefinite protest across the country if their demands are not met.