Following a week of public demonstrations, President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi and appointed Maj. Gen. Mykhailo Drapatyi as the new army chief.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has reversed his decision to fire Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov and replaced army chief Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi following a week of public protests known as the “Cardboard Maidan.” Demonstrators, including soldiers and students, gathered near the presidential office to demand Fedorov’s reinstatement and the removal of Syrskyi. In response, Zelensky appointed Maj. Gen. Mykhailo Drapatyi to lead the army.

The Cardboard Maidan Protests

The protests, which spread to multiple Ukrainian cities, were named after the 2014 demonstrations that removed a previous president. Participants held signs made from cardboard boxes to demand changes in military leadership. The movement gained momentum after Fedorov, who was credited with digitizing government services, was dismissed alongside other officials, including Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko.

Leadership Changes and Military Strategy

The new army chief, Maj. Gen. Mykhailo Drapatyi, is recognized for his role in the 2014 armored breakthrough in Mariupol and the defense of Kryvyi Rih. Fedorov had previously advocated for replacing older, Soviet-schooled generals with younger commanders and shifting the military focus toward technology and drones. While Zelensky has accepted the need for change, he has not yet reinstated Fedorov to his former position.

Political Context and Public Opinion

A recent survey indicated that 72 percent of Ukrainians opposed Fedorov’s removal, while 55 percent supported the dismissal of Syrskyi. Fedorov, who served as the first minister of digital transformation, gained significant public trust for his work on the Diia mobile app and his efforts to modernize defense procurement. Despite his popularity, his future remains uncertain as the government navigates wartime challenges and internal political dynamics.