Demonstrations have erupted across multiple Ukrainian cities in response to President Volodymyr Zelensky unexpected decision to dismiss the widely respected Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov.

A group of mostly young demonstrators assembled in Kyiv on Thursday morning, displaying placards that read "Hands off Fedorov" and "Stop sabotaging victory!" while chanting "Shame!".

Zelensky move has triggered notable frustration among analysts, military personnel and segments of civil society.

Speculation linking Fedorov departure to friction with Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi gained support through statements from both Fedorov and Zelensky.

On Thursday, Fedorov disclosed that he had proposed to Zelensky the replacement of Syrskyi along with Chief of the General Staff Andrii Hnatov.

Zelensky, during a joint press conference with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, recognised that tensions between the General Staff and the defence ministry had been ongoing and present at multiple levels, noting that Syrskyi and Fedorov would require his direct involvement to collaborate effectively.

"When the president indicated he had no plans to replace Syrskyi, I stated I would adapt to working with him," Fedorov remarked at his press conference. Yet "every initiative we put forward faced obstruction," he continued.

"Rather than developing an asymmetric approach to defeating Russia, which falls to the commander-in-chief, he has created division within our nation," Fedorov stated regarding Syrskyi.

In a brief Telegram post, Syrskyi expressed pride in the defensive operation around Kyiv in 2022 amid the Russian advance and affirmed his focus on the conflict and effective planning, while extending best wishes to Fedorov.

Fedorov, aged 35, took the role only in January yet earned praise for revitalising the ministry, leading anti-corruption efforts and applying data analysis to enhance frontline outcomes.

Lawmakers were scheduled to vote on Thursday regarding the proposed successor Ihor Klymenko, currently interior minister, though Zelensky indicated this was merely one candidate under review and no formal nomination had been advanced.

Within Zelensky cabinet changes, parliament confirmed state oil and gas executive Serhiy Koretsky as prime minister following the earlier resignation of Yuliia Svyrydenko.

Fedorov further noted that Zelensky had invited him to remain as an adviser, an offer he declined.

He emphasised he held no intent to oppose the president, expressing confidence that Zelensky listens to citizens, understands necessary actions and will resolve matters fully.

"I do not believe he has taken a position on the Syrskyi issue. I spoke with him today and explained I am following my principles," he said.

"This represents the gravest error Zelensky has committed throughout his presidency," stated Oleksandr, a Ukrainian soldier, to the BBC.

He had joined the army earlier this year due to trust in Fedorov team and approach, adding: "I know no one who backs the choice to remove him, neither in the army nor among the public."

"I count many military friends. Many have fallen. I wish this to end," Maria Lavrynets, 31, told the BBC during a protest at Ivan Franko square in central Kyiv. "We observe Fedorov achievements. We witness soldier motivation, and we must support them."

"Citizens wished to protest, and that is appropriate. I understand, I listen, and I respond to public sentiment," Zelensky remarked when questioned about the demonstrations.

Upon appointment, Fedorov began restructuring the defence ministry, viewed by many in Ukraine as overly bureaucratic and rooted in Soviet practices.

A prior digital transformation minister, he engaged from the outset of Russia full-scale invasion in 2022 by establishing a volunteer "IT Army of Ukraine" for cyber operations against Russian targets.

Subsequently, he directed a successful Army of Drones fundraising effort and introduced gamification elements to warfare by creating a credit system rewarding Ukrainian units for striking Russian targets.

Fedorov emphasis on drones, advanced technology and procurement persisted during his time as defence minister.

Early in his term he also urged SpaceX founder Elon Musk to restrict Russian use of Starlink satellites for drone strikes, causing notable interference with Russian frontline movements.

His ministry contributed substantially to recent Ukrainian strikes on the Moscow-controlled Crimean peninsula, which Fedorov last month pledged to isolate from Russia using medium-range drone attacks.

In a Facebook statement soon after his removal, Fedorov outlined his accomplishments and pledged to persist in overcoming the adversary via asymmetry, rapid innovation and organisational capability.

Well-known blogger Serhii Sternenko, recruited by Fedorov as an adviser, praised his former superior as "the finest minister of defence in our history" and lamented bureaucratic hurdles and deliberate slowdowns that impeded further progress.

Another ex-adviser, tech specialist known as "Flash," described service on Fedorov team as an honour and noted: "I could access multiple systems and evaluate enemy actions. I could anticipate their moves. That access ends now."

Pavlo Yelizarov, a prominent drone unit leader, stepped down as deputy commander of the Ukrainian Air Force to protest Fedorov dismissal, describing the action as "a severe blow to national defence capacity".