Thousands of people [1] have protested in Kyiv for seven consecutive days [1] demanding the reinstatement of former Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov.

The unrest signals a growing rift between the Ukrainian public and President Zelensky's administration. Demonstrators are linking their demands for Fedorov's return to broader allegations of corruption, and dissatisfaction with current government leadership.

While protests are centered in the capital, demonstrations have also been reported in Lviv and Dnipro. The crowds have persisted for a week, refusing to disperse despite government efforts to stabilize the situation.

President Zelensky has attempted to resolve the tension by offering Fedorov a new senior role within the government. However, protesters said this offer does not meet their demands and continues to reject the proposal.

Public sentiment appears to be shifting away from the presidency. Opinion polls indicate that Fedorov's popularity has risen above that of Zelensky, positioning the former minister as a focal point for those seeking a change in leadership style.

The demonstrators maintain that Fedorov's return to a senior position is necessary to address the governance issues they have highlighted during the week of unrest. The situation remains tense as the government seeks a compromise that the street protesters have so far refused.

“Thousands of people have taken to the streets”

The persistence of these protests suggests a volatility in Ukrainian domestic politics where the popularity of a single former official is being leveraged against the sitting president. By demanding the return of Mykhailo Fedorov, the protesters are not just seeking a personnel change, but are using him as a symbol of perceived competence and integrity in the face of corruption allegations.