KYIV, Ukraine: Rare protests broke out in Ukraine on July 16 after Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov was dismissed. The dispute between the reform-minded minister and Ukraine's top general became public during President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's second cabinet reshuffle of the war in one year.

Zelenskyy's reshuffle sparked public anger over the removal of Fedorov, a 35-year-old tech expert who had been working to modernize Ukraine's smaller army and make it more effective against Russia.

Hundreds of people protested in Kyiv and other cities, calling for Fedorov's reinstatement. At the same time, a senior commander in Ukraine's air force resigned.

A new government led by energy executive Sergii Koretskyi was approved by parliament on July 16. Lawmakers said outgoing Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko could replace Fedorov, with the change coming at a crucial point in the war.

Serhii Marchenko kept his role as finance minister. However, the vote did not include the defense and foreign minister positions, as the president nominates those. The next parliamentary session is set for August 18.

Speaking to reporters in Kyiv, Fedorov said he had turned down an offer from Zelenskyy to become an adviser.

He strongly criticized military chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, accusing him of blocking the ministry's initiatives and failing to address problems directly. Fedorov said that instead of focusing on how to defeat Russia, Syrskyi had focused on dividing the country.

Syrskyi, who has been in his role since early 2024, has faced criticism for a strict command style that some soldiers say has led to heavy losses.

In response, Syrskyi said attention should remain on the war effort. He also pointed to his role in helping defend Kyiv during the early weeks of Russia's 2022 invasion. He added that the city is now a place where briefings can be held, plans developed, and decisions made, in comments that appeared to criticize Fedorov's earlier press conference.

Zelenskyy said he had not yet decided who would replace Fedorov. He said Klymenko was only one of several candidates being considered and that he would review the matter again.

He also said that during wartime, the president should not take sides in such disputes, referring to the disagreement between Fedorov and Syrskyi, adding that he would very much like unity, but it evaded both sides.