Kozyatynsky, the organizer of the protests, called for an indefinite campaign to bring Fedorov back to the Ministry of Defense
22 July 17:48
Following the dismissal of Oleksandr Syrskyi, veteran Dmytro Koziatynskyi stated that the protesters’ second demand remains the reinstatement of Mykhailo Fedorov as defense minister.
Dmytro Koziatynskyi, a veteran and former combat medic who is one of the organizers of the protests calling for personnel changes in the military leadership, called for an indefinite protest to begin on July 24 if the authorities do not meet the demands of the protest movement. He announced this on Facebook, according to "Komersant Ukrainian".
According to Kozyatynsky, following the dismissal of Oleksandr Syrsky from the post of Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the appointment of Mykhailo Drapaty to that position, one of the protesters’ demands has already been met.
“Yesterday marked a historic event: Oleksandr Syrskyi was dismissed from his post as commander-in-chief. He was replaced by Mykhailo Drapatyi—a man whom many military personnel consider the best candidate for this position,” he wrote.
At the same time, the veteran emphasized that the protesters are not giving up on their second demand— the reinstatement of Mykhailo Fedorov as Minister of Defense.
“We must not forget the second demand of the protest—to reinstate Mykhailo Fedorov as Minister of Defense. The ministry needs reforms, and with Syrsky’s dismissal, the conflict between the Ministry of Defense and the General Staff has subsided, so I see no reason not to reinstate Fedorov,” Kozyatynsky stated.
He also called on supporters of defense sector reforms to gather on July 24 at 8:00 p.m . at Ivan Franko Square in Kyiv, as well as at the central squares of other cities in Ukraine.
“I urge everyone to gather on Friday, July 24, at 8:00 p.m. at Ivan Franko Square in Kyiv and at the central squares of other Ukrainian cities to begin an indefinite protest. We will gather every day and remain there for as many days as it takes for the authorities to hear us,” he said.
Kozyatynsky reported that he had already submitted a notice to the Kyiv City State Administration regarding the protest.
Protests in support of former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov have been ongoing since July 16. Initially, their main demand was Fedorov’s return to the government, and later this was supplemented by a demand for the resignation of the then-Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskyi.
As reported by "Komersant Ukrainian", Drapatiy has become the new Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
