Protests resume outside Ukraine's presidential office in Kyiv

A fresh protest is under way near the Office of the President of Ukraine in Kyiv on the evening of 14 August. Demonstrators are demanding dialogue, a clear government action plan and a vision for reforms, as well as protesting against corruption in the defence sector and supporting former Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, according to a Ukrainska Pravda correspondent.

Around 500 people gathered in Franko Square. The crowd chanted slogans including "Drones, not people", "The people are the government", "Fedorov is Ukraine's Defence Minister" and "Servant of the People, come out to the people". As usual, protesters held signs calling on the authorities to take action.

They also organised a silent protest in memory of those killed in the war who can no longer voice their demands to the country's leadership. Items were placed in the fountain basin with candles and messages written on cardboard, including "I didn't get to see the world", "I didn't get to say I love you" and "I didn't get to become a mother".

Background: From 16 to 24 July, protests took place in Kyiv and other cities demanding Fedorov's reinstatement as defence minister and the dismissal of Oleksandr Syrskyi as commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy acknowledged that Fedorov and Syrskyi had been unable to find common ground and that problems on the battlefield, within brigades and with mobilisation remained unresolved. On 18 July, the president said he had spoken with both men and promised that "decisions regarding the army will be worked out". On 20 July, Syrskyi apologised to Fedorov, saying he had not realised there was a conflict between them. After six days of protests, Zelenskyy announced the dismissal of Syrskyi and the appointment of Mykhailo Drapatyi as his replacement. Veteran Dmytro Koziatynskyi, who had called for protests against Syrskyi, announced an open-ended protest starting on 24 July.